title: The value of pancreatic stone protein in the prediction of infected neonates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to determine serum pancreatic stone protein (PSP) levels in the neonates with highly probable or probable sepsis and assess their possible value in predicting infected neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study involving 119 neonates who were admitted with suspected sepsis. The study population was divided into two groups, a infected group (N.=40, with highly probable sepsis or probable sepsis) and control group (N.=79, with possible or no sepsis). The blood samples were obtained at 24, 72 and 168 hours after birth. The amount of serum PSP were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  PSP serum concentrations were higher in the infected group comparison to the control group at all time points (all P=0.000). In addition the sequential comparison between the infected group and control group at all of time points was significantly different (F=48.558, P=0.000). ROC area under the curve (AUC) was 0.791 [95% CI: 0.71-0.87; P=0.000] for PSP at 24 hours after birth and 0.790 (95% CI: 0.79-0.88; P=0.000) 72 hours after birth and combination of the two time points (24 and 72 hours), the AUC was 0.819 (95% CI: 0.74-0.90; P=0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PSP is a valuable biomarker in predicting infected neonates. Combination of PSP at each time point within 72 hours after birth might be better.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Medical Center, Huai'an Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Yangzhou University Medical School, Huai'an, China - wr618@126.com.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Medical Center, Huai'an Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Yangzhou University Medical School, Huai'an, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zha
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Medical Center, Huai'an Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Yangzhou University Medical School, Huai'an, China.
authors.forename: Jin-Hui
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Medical Center, Huai'an Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Yangzhou University Medical School, Huai'an, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Ming
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Huai'an First People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China.
authors.forename: Zhao-Fang
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Tian
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D051847:Lithostathine / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D051847:Lithostathine; C497617:REG1A protein, human