N Y Boo1, A A Nor Azlina, J Rohana. 1. Department of Paediatrics, Clinical School, International Medical University, Jalan Rasah, Seremban 70300, Malaysia. nemyun_boo@imu.edu.my
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a semi-quantitative procalcitonin (PCT) test kit for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. METHODS: Infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with signs suggestive of sepsis were recruited into the study. Prior to commencement on antibiotics, the following investigations were carried out on each of these infants: blood culture and sensitivity, PCT semi-quantitation and C-reactive protein (CRP) estimation. Infants already on antibiotics, or who developed signs of sepsis within 72 hours of discontinuation of antibiotics, were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Of the 87 infants recruited, 18 (20.7 percent) were confirmed to have sepsis based on positive blood culture results. At a PCT cut-off level of greater than or equal to 2 ng/ml, the sensitivity of the PCT-Q kit in detecting neonatal sepsis at the onset of symptoms was 88.9 percent and its specificity was 65.2 percent. The sensitivity of CRP for diagnosis of sepsis was 55.6 percent and its specificity was 89.9 percent. CONCLUSION: The semi-quantitative PCT test kit is of moderate sensitivity but poor specificity for early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. A negative PCT test result may help to "rule out", while a raised CRP result helps to "rule in", the possibility of sepsis.
INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a semi-quantitative procalcitonin (PCT) test kit for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. METHODS:Infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with signs suggestive of sepsis were recruited into the study. Prior to commencement on antibiotics, the following investigations were carried out on each of these infants: blood culture and sensitivity, PCT semi-quantitation and C-reactive protein (CRP) estimation. Infants already on antibiotics, or who developed signs of sepsis within 72 hours of discontinuation of antibiotics, were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Of the 87 infants recruited, 18 (20.7 percent) were confirmed to have sepsis based on positive blood culture results. At a PCT cut-off level of greater than or equal to 2 ng/ml, the sensitivity of the PCT-Q kit in detecting neonatal sepsis at the onset of symptoms was 88.9 percent and its specificity was 65.2 percent. The sensitivity of CRP for diagnosis of sepsis was 55.6 percent and its specificity was 89.9 percent. CONCLUSION: The semi-quantitative PCT test kit is of moderate sensitivity but poor specificity for early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. A negative PCT test result may help to "rule out", while a raised CRP result helps to "rule in", the possibility of sepsis.
Authors: Christoph P Hornik; Daniel K Benjamin; Kristian C Becker; Daniel K Benjamin; Jennifer Li; Reese H Clark; Michael Cohen-Wolkowiez; P Brian Smith Journal: Pediatr Infect Dis J Date: 2012-08 Impact factor: 2.129
Authors: Evridiki K Vouloumanou; Eleni Plessa; Drosos E Karageorgopoulos; Elpis Mantadakis; Matthew E Falagas Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2011-03-05 Impact factor: 17.440
Authors: Mahbuba Meem; Joyanta K Modak; Roman Mortuza; Mahboob Morshed; Mohammad Shahidul Islam; Samir K Saha Journal: J Glob Health Date: 2011-12 Impact factor: 4.413
Authors: Giuseppe Pontrelli; Franco De Crescenzo; Roberto Buzzetti; Alessandro Jenkner; Sara Balduzzi; Francesca Calò Carducci; Donato Amodio; Maia De Luca; Sara Chiurchiù; Elin Haf Davies; Giorgia Copponi; Alessandra Simonetti; Elena Ferretti; Valeria Di Franco; Virginia Rasi; Martina Della Corte; Luca Gramatica; Marco Ciabattini; Susanna Livadiotti; Paolo Rossi Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2017-04-24 Impact factor: 3.090
Authors: Nazedah Ain Ibrahim; Mohd Makmor Bakry; Nurul Ain Mohd Tahir; Nur Rashidah Mohd Zaini; Noraida Mohamed Shah Journal: Paediatr Drugs Date: 2020-06 Impact factor: 3.022