Evaluation of C-reactive protein in neonatal sepsis

Abstract EN

Objective : to evaluate serum C-reactive protein levels and its sensitivity and specificity as a diagnostic test in neonatal sepsis.

Methods : A prospective study of neonate suspected to have sepsis.

The study was carried out in the Department of neonatal special care units in Erbil Maternity and Raparin Children Hospital, Erbil Iraq.

Duration of the study was eight months from the 1st of January to the end of August 2008.

This study was performed on 65 neonates admitted with clinical signs and symptoms suggesting septicemia and / or risk factors for sepsis.

Blood culture, cerebrospinal fluid examination, urine culture, and C-reactive protein level estimation were done in all cases.

Results : blood culture was positive in 50.8 %, sensitivity, specificity were 100 % and 84.4 % respectively.

C-reactive protein was positive in 93.9 % of cases with proven sepsis, and 48.1 % of cases with probable sepsis.

Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were 66 %, 11.1 %, 93.9 %, 40 % respectively among those with proven sepsis but the sensitivity of C-reactive protein between those with probable sepsis was 27.7 % only.

Conclusions : C-reactive protein estimations provide additional information in the evaluation in neonates whom sepsis is suspected.

Its estimation has some value in early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.