title: Positive maternal C-reactive protein predicts neonatal sepsis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the diagnostic performance of maternal inflammatory marker: C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting early onset neonatal sepsis (that occurring within 72 hours after birth).
  
  
  METHODS
  126 low birth weight newborns (gestation 32±3.2 wk, birth weight 1887±623 g) and their mothers were included. Neonates were divided into sepsis group (n=51) including both proven (positive blood culture) and suspected (negative blood culture but with more than 3 abnormal clinical signs), and controls (n=75). Mothers were subgrouped into CRP positive ≥1.22 mg/dL (n=48) and CRP negative <1.22 mg/dL (n=78) group, determined by Receiver Operating Characteristic curves, and odds ratio was calculated for neonatal sepsis according to maternal condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maternal CRP was significantly higher in neonatal sepsis group than in control (3.55±2.69 vs. 0.48±0.31 mg/dL, p=0.0001). Maternal CRP (cutoff value >1.22 mg/dL) had sensitivity 71% and specificity 84% for predicting neonatal sepsis. Maternal CRP positive group had more neonatal sepsis than CRP negative group (71% vs. 29%, p<0.001). Odds ratio of neonatal sepsis in maternal CRP positive group versus CRP negative group was 10.68 (95% confidence interval: 4.313-26.428, p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The risk of early onset neonatal sepsis significantly increased in the case of positive maternal CRP (≥1.22 mg/dL). In newborn of CRP positive mother, the clinician may be alerted to earlier evaluation for possible neonatal infection prior to development of sepsis.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea. ranng@yuhs.ac.
authors: Ji Hyun
authors: JH
authors: Jeon
authors: Ran
authors: R
authors: Namgung
authors: Min Soo
authors: MS
authors: Park
authors: Koo In
authors: KI
authors: Park
authors: Chul
authors: C
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D011247:Pregnancy; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Neonatal sepsis; chorioamnionitis; maternal C-reacitve protein