Neonatal sepsis is one of the commonest causes of morbidity
and mortality in neonates in India compared to the developed
countries. Aim: To evaluate the Procalcitonin level this is an
early marker in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and to assess
the suitability of this test in the diagnosis of early-onset sepsis.
Method: The prospective study was conducted in the Neonatal
Division of Department of Pediatrics, Prathima Institute of
Medical Sciences over a period of one year. The blood samples
from 100 babies meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria
constituted the material for study.
Result: Among the n=100 cases n=39 were procalcitonin
positive, compared with gestational age 10 (43.5%) cases were
positive with a gestation of <37 weeks and 24 (31.2%) cases
positive of cases >37 weeks and there was no statistical
significance concerning gestational age the association of
material characteristics with procalcitonin positive and CRP
positive levels. Blood culture was positive in n=9 (9%) of babies
with (90% CI, 5.3-14.9) and negative in n=91 (91%) of babies
with (90% CI, 85.2-94.7).
Conclusion: A positive blood culture is the only definitive and
gold standard for confirming a case of sepsis. Since the culture
and sensitivity test requires a minimum period of 48 hours
which is a precious time in deciding on the treatment of sepsis
in the newborn. Rapid diagnosis by using Procalcitonin and
CRP gives a reasonable degree of accuracy in diagnosing
neonatal sepsis and will also guide antibiotic therapy.
Procalcitonin in comparison with CRP has better sensitivity and
hence can detect most cases of neonatal sepsis and better
negative predictive value.
121 Prognostic value of normal adenosine stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging exams – one year follow-up results of a prospective study
