title: C-reactive protein: a useful marker for guiding duration of antibiotic therapy in suspected neonatal septicaemia?
abstract: The study aimed to determine whether serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels can be used to identify when antibiotics can safely be discontinued in cases of suspected neonatal septicaemia. Neonates with suspected neonatal septicaemia treated at a hospital in Al Ramadi city, Iraq, in 2005 had serum CRP and blood cultures (the gold standard) done at admission and at 48 hours, 4 days and 6 days after starting treatment. Of the 55 neonates, CRP was < or =6 mg/L at 48 hours in 37 (67.3%) and antibiotics could be stopped in 32 (82.5%), i.e., when blood culture was negative. The moderate sensitivity (78%) and negative predictive value (86%) of serum CRP in this study suggest that this test alone cannot be used for guiding duration of antibiotic treatment for neonatal sepsis.
authors: Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, Al-Kindi Medical College, Baghdad University Baghdad, Iraq. ejkzwaini@yahoo.com
authors: E J
authors: EJ
authors: Al-Zwaini
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007493:Iraq; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000198:Spectinomycin; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000198:Spectinomycin