CORD BLOOD SERUM FERRITIN AS AN ADJUNCT BIOMARKER OF EARLY-ONSET NEONATAL SEPSIS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare cord blood serum ferritin levels in septic and non-septic newborns and determine the role of serum ferritin as a marker for early neonatal sepsis. This prospective case METHODS: -control study was conducted on serially born neonates for 12 months. Cord blood serum ferritin level was estimated and compared statistically in both study and control groups by automated quantitative enzyme linked uorescent immunoassay (ELFA). 100 neonates (50 with neonat RESULTS: al sepsis and 50 without) were enrolled. There was no signicant difference (p-value >0.05) in baseline parameters and anthropometric characteristics in both cohorts. The median value of serum ferritin among neonates with and without sepsis were 118.9 and 130. 2 ng/dl respectively. There were no signicant difference in cord blood serum ferritin levels in both groups (p-value 0.596>0.05). Cord blood ser CONCLUSION: um ferritin estimation does not have a role in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. It is not specic enough to be relied as only indicator of sepsis. Other diagnostic markers may need to be considered while evaluating a neonate for sepsis.