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Background: Our aim was to investigate the role of thromboelastometry (ROTEM) parameters, including maximum clot elasticity (MCE) and platelet component (PLTEM MCE and PLTEM MCF), in early prediction of bleeding events in thrombocytopenic critically ill neonates., Material and Methods: This single-center, prospective cohort study included 110 consecutive thrombocytopenic neonates with sepsis, suspected sepsis, or hypoxia. On the first day of disease onset, ROTEM EXTEM and FIBTEM assays were performed and the neonatal bleeding assessment tool was used for the evaluation of bleeding events., Results: Most EXTEM and FIBTEM ROTEM parameters significantly differed between neonates with (n = 77) and without bleeding events (n = 33). Neonates with bleeding events had significantly lower PLTEM MCE and PLTEM MCF values compared to those without bleeding events (P < .001). Platelet count was found to be strongly positively correlated with EXTEM A5 (Spearman's rho = 0.61, P < .001) and A10 (rho = 0.64, P < .001). EXTEM A10 demonstrated the best prognostic performance (AUC = 0.853) with an optimal cutoff value (≤37 mm) (sensitivity = 91%, specificity = 76%) for prediction of bleeding events in thrombocytopenic neonates., Conclusions: EXTEM A5 and EXTEM A10 were found to be strong predictors of hemorrhage, compared to most ROTEM variables quantifying clot elasticity and platelet component in thrombocytopenic critically ill neonates., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Scarce data exists about the hemostatic status of small for gestational age (SGA) neonates. We aimed at evaluating the hemostatic profile of SGA neonates, using thromboelastometry (TEM). This is an observational study performed in a Greek tertiary General Hospital during an 18-month period. Ninety-three neonates were included in the study: 48 appropriate for gestational age weight (AGA) neonates and 45 SGA neonates Extrinsically activated TEM (ex-TEM) parameters, such as clotting time, clot formation time, amplitude recorded at 5 and 10 min, a angle, maximum clot firmness, lysis index at 60 min, and also platelet count, were used for the evaluation of the hemostatic profile in all neonates. No statistically significant differences were noticed regarding all ex-TEM parameters between AGA and SGA neonates, while no event of hemorrhage or thrombosis was noticed in the study population.Conclusions: The coagulation system of SGA neonates seems to be fully functional, with no evident tendency toward coagulopathy or thrombosis, when compared with AGA neonates. TEM seems to provide a promising and valid assessment of coagulation and fibrinolysis systems and may be used as a valuable biomarker, in the future. Further studies, with large samples, are necessary to confirm our results. What is Known: • SGA neonates may present coagulation disorders mainly due to hepatic dysfunction, polycythemia, and thrombocytopenia owing to long-term intrauterine hypoxia. • In the literature, despite the statistically significant differences in laboratory results between SGA and AGA neonates, no clinical manifestations of significantly altered hemostasis were recorded. Data of TEM interpretation of hemostasis in SGA neonates are not available. What is New: • TEM seems to interpret coagulation mechanism of preterm and full-term SGA neonates and confirm previous relevant literature findings regarding hemostasis in these neonates.

Our aim was to evaluate the potential role of standard extrinsically activated thromboelastometry (EXTEM) assay in the early detection of neonatal sepsis. We studied 91 hospitalized neonates categorized in two groups: group A included 35 neonates with confirmed sepsis, while group B included 56 neonates with suspected sepsis; 274 healthy neonates served as controls. Whenever sepsis was suspected, EXTEM assay was performed, Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension (SNAPPE) and Tοllner score were calculated, and clinical findings and laboratory results were recorded. Septic neonates had significantly prolonged clotting time (CT) and clot formation time (CFT), and reduced maximum clot firmness (MCF), compared to neonates with suspected sepsis (p values 0.001, 0.001, and 0.009, respectively) or healthy neonates (p values 0.001, 0.001, and 0.021, respectively). EXTEM parameters (CT, CFT, MCF) demonstrated a more intense hypocoagulable profile in septic neonates with hemorrhagic diathesis than those without (p values 0.021, 0.007, and 0.033, respectively). In septic neonates, CFT was correlated with platelet count, SNAPPE, Tollner score, and day of full enteral feeding (p values 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, and 0.03, respectively)., Conclusions: A ROTEM hypocoagulable profile at admission seems promising for the early detection of sepsis in neonates while the degree of hypocoagulation may be associated with sepsis severity. What is Known: • The early phase of septicemia might be difficult to be recognized in neonates. In adult septic patients, the diagnostic and prognostic role of thromboelastometry (ROTEM) have been extensively investigated. • Limited data are available on the role of ROTEM as an indicator of early neonatal sepsis. What is New: • ROTEM measurements indicate an early appearance of hypocoagulability in neonatal sepsis, while the degree of hypocoagulation might be associated with severity of sepsis. • ROTEM could be a useful tool in the early detection of sepsis in neonates.