Role of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in Establishing the Diagnosis of Sepsis in Neonates

Abstract

Objective: To determine the accuracy of CRP in diagnosing neonatal sepsis when compared with blood
culture as a reference.
Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Neonatal Unit of Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore for 6 months. 300 Neonates presenting with complaints and clinical examination favouring sepsis were taken in this study through non-probability, purposive sampling. Informed consent and demographic information were obtained and a 2cc venous blood sample for blood culture and CRP were taken. CRP was measured quantitatively using the ELIZA method. All the information was recorded in a predesigned proforma and collected information was entered and analysed using SPSS version 17.0.
Results: The mean age of neonates was 10.68±7.45 days. There were 144(48%), neonates who were 1 week old, 75(25%) were 2 weeks old, 36(12%) were 3 weeks old and 45(15%) were 4 weeks old. There were 204(68%) male neonates and 96(32%) female neonates. The mean gestational age of neonates at the time of their birth was 35.88±3.64 weeks. There were 218(73%) neonates who were born at full term while 82(27%)
were born preterm. The mean weight of all neonates was calculated as 2.42±0.62 kg. The calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated as 93.18%, 71.43%, 71.93% and 93.02% respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy of CRP was calculated as 81.0%.
Conclusion: This study depicts that we can rely on the results of CRP for confirmation of neonatal sepsis. The accuracy of CRP was sensitive enough based on haematological marker for early detection or confirmation of neonatal sepsis.
How to cite: Saleem S, Butt MAA, Irfan M, Huda B, Arif MM, Mahmood S . Role of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in Establishing the
Diagnosis of Sepsis in Neonates. Esculapio - JSIMS 2022;18(03):257-261