Evaluation of Serum RANTES as a Biomarker in the Diagnosis of Early-Onset Neonatal Infections

Abstract

Background: Globally, sepsis is still one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in neonates, despite recent advances in health care units. Objective: To assess the accuracy of serum chemokine RANTES as a biomarker for early-onset neonatal infection as early diagnosis and to assess its relationship with gestational age, birth weight, sex, mode of delivery, and value of some hematological and biochemical parameters facilitating early good treatment. Patients and Methods: This case-control study was carried out on neonates with early-onset neonatal infections that were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Zagazig General Hospital. This study included 45 matched age and sex neonates divided into three groups. Results: Significantly higher levels of RANTES were found in neonates with EONS compared with non-infected cases. RANTES levels were significantly higher in infected term &preterm neonates compared to healthy controls. Infected full-term neonates had higher RANTES levels than in infected preterm neonates without a statistically significant difference. A positive correlation between serum RANTES concentration and CRP value was found in both infected neonates groups. On the other hand, no correlation between RANTES and the number of white blood cells, platelets, or hemoglobin was noted. Conclusion: The significant increase of serum RANTES concentration in early-onset infections in neonates, regardless of their gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar score, not only proves the presence of an active immunological process but also may be a useful biomarker for diagnosis of early-onset severe neonatal infections.