Serum Amyloid A, Procalcitonin, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, and Interleukin-1β Levels in Neonatal Late-Onset Sepsis

Abstract EN

Background.

Sepsis is an important cause of mortality in newborns.

However, a single reliable marker is not available for the diagnosis of neonatal late-onset sepsis (NLS).

The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of serum amyloid A (SAA) and procalcitonin (PCT) in the diagnosis and follow-up of NLS.

Methods.

36 septic and healthy newborns were included in the study.

However, SAA, PCT, TNF-α, IL-1β, and CRP were serially measured on days 0, 4, and 8 in the patients and once in the controls.

Töllner's sepsis score (TSS) was calculated for each patient.

Results.

CRP, PCT, and TNF-α levels in septic neonates at each study day were significantly higher than in the controls (P=.001).

SAA and IL-1β levels did not differ from healthy neonates.

The sensitivity and specificity were 86.8% and 97.2% for PCT, 83.3% and 80.6% for TNF-α, 75% and 44.4% for SAA on day 0.

Conclusion.

Present study suggests that CRP seems to be the most helpful indicator and PCT and TNF-α may be useful markers for the early diagnosis of NLS.

However, SAA, IL-1β, and TSS are not reliable markers for the diagnosis and follow-up of NLS.