ROLE OF C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN DIAGNOSING NEONATAL SEPSIS

Objective: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of C-reactive protein (CRP) in diagnosing neonatal sepsis.Methodology: A cross sectional study of neonates suspected to have sepsis was carried out in the neonatology department of Rehman Medical Institute Peshawar Pakistan. The duration of study was from 1stJan, 2010 to 31st Dec, 2011. A total of 300 cases were selected who were fulfilling the criteria for neonatal sepsis. C-reactive protein and blood cultures were done in all cases following a standard protocol.Results: Among 300 neonates selected, sepsis was confirmed among 56 % (167 of 300) cases. This was done on the basis of positive blood culture. In 66% (198 of 300) cases C-reactive protein was positive with the Sensitivity, specificity,negative and positive predictive values of 94.01%, 69.17%, 79.29%, 90.19% respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of CRP was 83.0%.Conclusion: C-reactive protein is a good diagnostic test index and can identify the infection in neonates at the time of initial assessment.