Rapid identification of neonatal sepsis.
OBJECTIVE
To achieve rapid identification of neonatal sepsis.


METHODS
Neonatal Intensive care unit (NICU) of a teaching hospital.


METHODS
We evaluated fifty neonates who were admitted with clinical features suggesting sepsis or who had principal risk factors, e.g. Prematurity (< 36 weeks), Low birth weight (< 2.5 kg), H/o maternal pyrexia or prolonged rupture of membranes, birth asphyxia, unbooked cases or instrumentation. Five tests, i.e., Total Leukocyte Count (T.L.C.), Absolute Neutrophil Count, Immature/Total Neutrophil ratio (I.T. ratio), Platelet count and C-Reactive protein were used for rapid diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.


RESULTS
C-reactive protein (C.R.P.) and absolute Neutrophil count had a sensitivity of over 60% with a specificity of 50%. White blood cell count had a specificity of 93% but a sensitivity of 14%.


CONCLUSIONS
None of the tests used alone were reliable, but when in combination these five tests may help to diagnose sepsis within a few hours. Also, if the tests show a high negative predictive value, the neonate can be discharged early from the hospital, stopping the antibiotics, thereby reducing the cost of treatment and anxiety of the family.
Anwer
S K
SK
Department of Paediatrics, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi.
Mustafa
S
S
D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002452:Cell Count; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009504:Neutrophils; D010976:Platelet Count; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis*
D002097:C-Reactive Protein