The Diagnostic Value of High-Sensitivity C-reactive Protein in Identifying Premature Infants with Sepsis

Neonatal sepsis is an important cause of death in neonatal intensive care units where rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment can reduce neonatal complications. Our aim is to compare. High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein (hs-CRP) and CRP (C-reactive protein) in neonates with sepsis and non-infectious neonates.

Between December 2019 and May 2020, 173 neonates of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, including 85 neonates with positive blood culture (case group) and 88 uninfected for the control group were included in this prospective cohort study. One ml of blood was taken from all infants for hs-CRP as well as CBC (Complete blood count) samples and culture of blood, spinal fluid and urine if needed. Latex kits were used for CRP and hs-CRP and MacConkey culture medium was used for microbial culture.

The mean of hs-CRP and CRP was significantly higher in the case group compared to the control group (P > 0.05). Comparison within the group, the mean CRP in the two groups prior to, during and after infection were significantly different (P < 0.05).

The results of this study showed that hs-CRP and CRP are helpful in diagnosing late neonatal sepsis, and hs-CRP is superior to CRP in terms of specificity and positive predictive value.