C-REACTIVE PROTEIN (CRP) ACCURACY IN INFANTS PRESENTING WITH NEONATAL SEPSIS
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Keywords
C-reactive protein, neonates, sepsis, blood culture
Abstract
Background: Neonatal sepsis is a medical illness in which babies exhibit a constellation of systemic symptoms indicating circulation problems. Reduced peripheral perfusion, pallor, decreased muscular tone, and diminished responsiveness are among the symptoms. Prematurity, invasive medical procedures, low birth weight, and prolonged hospitalization are the key risk factors for neonatal sepsis.
Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the accuracy of CRP as a diagnostic tool for neonatal sepsis.
Study design: A cross-sectional study
Place and Duration: This study was conducted in Shahdadpur Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) Shahdadpur from January 2022 to January 2023
Methodology: The WHO sample size calculator was used to calculate the sample size. There were a total of 60 neonates involved in this research who had clinical features or risk factors for neonatal sepsis. The blood sample for CRP and culture was taken at the time of admission. A serum CRP level greater than 6 mg/L was regarded as elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). Blood culture results were used as the gold standard to assess the diagnostic accuracy of CRP. The accuracy was tested using True Positive (TP) cases to calculate sensitivity and specificity.
Results: The percentage of males was a little higher than that of females. There were 32 males and 28 females enrolled in this research. This elaborates on the fact that neonatal sepsis has a male predisposition. The average age calculated was 15.47 days. The average weight calculated was 2.94 kg. Blood cultures were positive in 18 cases, of which 9 were early-onset sepsis and 9 were late-onset sepsis.
Conclusion: C-reactive protein has equivalent sensitivity and specificity to blood culture, which results in appropriately detecting newborn sepsis. Furthermore, the advantage of receiving test results quickly makes C-reactive protein testing highly recommended for examining neonates with any indications of sepsis.
References
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Zulfiqar Ali Dahri
Consultant Pediatrition, Shahdadpur Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) Shahdadpur Pakistan.
Naseer Ahmed Memon
Associate Professor Pediatric Medicine, People's University of Medical and Health sciences Nawabshah Pakistan.
Mushtaque Ali Shah
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro/Hyderabad Pakistan.
Amanullah Lail
Assistant Professor Pediatrics, DMC/DUHS Civil Hospital Karachi Pakistan.
Khairjan Habib
Registrar Pediatrics Surgery section, Murshid Hospital and Health Care center Karachi Pakistan.
Adnan Bashir
Assistant Professor Pediatrics, Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry Karachi Pakistan.