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Title: Biochemical markers of neonatal sepsis: value of procalcitonin in the emergency setting. Author: Guibourdenche J, Bedu A, Petzold L, Marchand M, Mariani-Kurdjian P, Hurtaud-Roux MF, Aujard Y, Porquet D. Journal: Ann Clin Biochem; 2002 Mar; 39(Pt 2):130-5. PubMed ID: 11928760. Abstract: BACKGROUND: We evaluated procalcitonin (PCT) assay in the emergency diagnosis of neonatal bacterial infection, especially in preterm infants, relative to C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen. METHODS: One hundred and twenty neonates (32 preterm), of whom 21 were infected, were tested. RESULTS: Concentrations of PCT, CRP and fibrinogen in uninfected infants were not affected by gestational age at birth. Concentrations of CRP and PCT increased rapidly during the first 24 h of life, while fibrinogen concentrations increased gradually from birth. All marker concentrations were significantly greater in neonates with bacterial infection. Receiver-operating characterstic analysis showed that optimum cut-off values for fibrinogen, CRP and PCT were 3.0 g/L, 7.5 mg/L and 2.5 microg/L respectively, for the diagnosis of sepsis at birth. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of PCT is of value in excluding bacterial infection in neonates since it has a negative predictive value of 93%.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]