Study of procalcitonin in neonatal sepsis with blood culture in suspected sepsis in North India

Authors

  • Munna Lal Jaipal Department of Pediatrics, Banas Medical College and Research Institute, Palanpur, Gujarat, India
  • Ajit Kumar Shrivastava Department of Pediatrics, Banas Medical College and Research Institute, Palanpur, Gujarat, India
  • Prema Ram Choudhary Department of Physiology, Banas Medical College and Research Institute, Palanpur, Gujarat, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20212479

Keywords:

Blood culture, Neonatal sepsis, Procalcitonin, Suspected sepsis

Abstract

Background: Sepsis can occasionally be difficult to demonstrate, and its difference from non-infectious conditions in critically ill patients is often a challenge. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) assay is one of the biomarkers of sepsis. The aim of the study was to investigate the value of procalcitonin, in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at tertiary care hospital in New Delhi. It included all neonates with clinical signs of sepsis. The neonates were divided into two groups as sepsis, and healthy neonates. The PCT level was measured by using ELISA technique and compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS windows version 20.0 software.

Results: In this study total number of patients included 350, out of which 175 were clinically suspected sepsis cases and 175 were healthy controls. 68 (39%) neonates were show positive blood culture and 107 (61%) neonates were representing negative blood culture report in study group. The mean serum value of PCT was significantly (p<0.001) higher in sepsis neonates. The serum PCT value was significantly increased in neonate’s sepsis with positive blood culture (p<0.001) and negative blood culture (p<0.001) as compared to healthy neonates.

Conclusions: It is concluded from this study that the PCT assay was established to be a valuable biomarker of sepsis in this study. The assay might be performed and reported quickly and gave precious information before availability of culture results. This might assist in avoiding unnecessary antibiotic therapy.

Author Biographies

Munna Lal Jaipal, Department of Pediatrics, Banas Medical College and Research Institute, Palanpur, Gujarat, India

Designate Professor,

Department of Pediatrics,

 

Ajit Kumar Shrivastava, Department of Pediatrics, Banas Medical College and Research Institute, Palanpur, Gujarat, India

Professor and Head, Department of Pediatrics, 

Prema Ram Choudhary, Department of Physiology, Banas Medical College and Research Institute, Palanpur, Gujarat, India

Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Banas Medical College & Research Institute, Palanpur (Gujarat), India

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Published

2021-06-24

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Original Research Articles