EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF NEONATAL SEPSIS THROUGH HAMETOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS

Abstract

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a common occurrence in our part of the world characterized by signs and symptoms
of bacterial infection during first 28 days of life. This study was carried out to evaluate the hematological
parameters and C-reactive protein estimation in combination for early diagnosis in patients with neonatal sepsis.
Material & Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at the Pediatrics Department, District Headquarters
Hospital, Dera Ismail Khan, from October 2008 to April 2009. Seventy-five neonates having clinical
features of sepsis and 35 clinically normal (asymptomatic) neonates were evaluated with a set of investigations.
Total leukocyte count (TLC) absolute neutrophil count (ANC) platelet count (PLT) and C-reactive protein (CRP)
estimation were used for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.
Results: TLC had sensitivity of 75% for group A (proven sepsis) and 76% for group B (probable sepsis); and
had a negative predictive value (NPV) of 80% and 65% respectively. The sensitivity of ANC was 65% and 76%
in group A and B respectively. For proven sepsis, the sensitivity of CRP was 75% and 76% for probable sepsis.
The sensitivity and NPV for the combination of TLC, ANC and CRP were 100% each in group A and 79% and
80% in group B.
Conclusion::The combination of TLC, ANC and CRP is more sensitive in detection of culture positive than culture
negative cases of neonatal sepsis.