Clinical significance of procalcitonin in early diagnosis of neonatal infection

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of procalcitonin(PCT) in early diagnosis of neonatal infection. Methods From May 2014 to December 2015, 126 neonate were selected, with 31 cases in septicaemia group, and 53 cases in local infection group, and 42 cases in non-infection group. The serum PCT and C-reactive protein(CRP)levels were detected at 2 h, 24 h and 5 days after hospitalization, the diagnostic precision and sensitivity were compared. Results In neonatal infection, a threshold of PCT≥0.25 ng/ml, the sensitivity and specificity of PCT respectively were 91.71% and 93.31%. A threshold of CRP≥6 mg/L, the sensitivity and specificity of PCT respectively were 60.63% and 75.31%. Conclusions The sensitivity and specificity of PCT in early diagnosis of neonatal infection specific degree is higher, which can guide the clinical use of antibiotics. Key words: Procalcitonin; C-reactive protein; Antibiotics