The Significance Of Procalcitonin In Early Diagnosis Of Neonatal Sepsis

OBJECT: To evaluate procalcitonin (PCT) as a diagnostic marker of bacterial sepsis in critically ill neonates and to compare the results of PCT with those of C-reactive protein (CRP). METHODS: The study comprised 44 neonates, with an age of 3-28 days. To obtain the semi-quantitative level of PCT the BRAHMS PCT-Q rapid test was used and such data as plasma CRP and WBC were obtained at the same time. Neonates were allocated retrospectively into 2 groups: neonates with definite sepsis or clinical sepsis and neonates without sepsis. RESULTS: Plasma PCT and plasma CRP in sepsis were higher than those of without sepsis. PCT had higher sensitivity and specificity than CRP : PCT (sensitivity 72.7 specificity 90.9,cutoff value >=2ng/ml), CRP (sensitivity 45.5 specificity 72.5,cutoff value >=10mg/l ). CONCLUSIONS: PCT is a promising marker for the early diagnose of bacterial sepsis in critically ill neonates.