PREDICTIVE VALUE OF SERIAL C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN DIAGNOSING NEONATAL SEPSIS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

NARESH B; SENTHILKUMARAN G; HEBER ANANDAN

Volume : V, Issue : IX, September - 2016

PREDICTIVE VALUE OF SERIAL C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN DIAGNOSING NEONATAL SEPSIS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Naresh B, Senthilkumaran G, Heber Anandan

Abstract :

Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of serum C reactive protein levels for the diagnosis of neonatal infection. Methods: A cross sectional study in neonates admitted with suspected septicemia, with birth weight > 1500 gm was included. Neonates with positive CRP measurements but with negative culture were considered septic and treated accordingly. The laboratory and radiological evaluation done for the diagnosis and confirmation of infection Results: Out of 100 neonates, 58 (58%) were male, and 42(42%) were females. Late onset sepsis is more common than early onset sepsis. Out of 100 neonates, 20 neonates were proven sepsis, 51 were probable sepsis and 29 were clinical sepsis. The serial CRP measurement showed higher sensitivity and negative predictive value compared to early CRP (CRP 1) alone, in both early as well as late proven and probable sepsis. Conclusion: Serial measurement of CRP should be used for the diagnostic evaluation of the neonates with suspected sepsis as it is a very good screening test for the early detection of sepsis.