Role of C-reactive protein in deciding duration of antibiotics therapy in neonatal bacterial infection in Maharashtra

Abstract

: Neonatal bacterial infection remains a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. CRP parameter can be the indicator to use the proper antibiotic with certain duration. 60 Neonates < 28 days having/suspicious of bacterial infection (septicaemia) were studied. Blood and Urine culture and sensitivity, routine blood examination, chest x-ray, CRP (serum), were studied. Neonates were classified as per the levels of CRP levels <6 as group 1&> 6 as group 2.Clinical features: 48(80%) born by vaginal delivery, 4(66%) had maternal fever >100.4 F, 6(10%) PROM, 23(38.3%) refusal to feeds, 20(33.3%) were lethargic, 12(20%) had poor cry, 7(11.6%) had jaundice, 8(13.3%) had conjunctivitis, 7(11.6%) had vomiting, 4(6.6%) had excessive cry, 3(5%) abdominal distension, 3(5%) hypothermia, 1(1.6%) had fever, 2(3.3%) diarrhoea, 1(1.6%) umbilical Sepsis. The Gram Negative organismsseen in 20(33.3%). In Group A-28 neonates had CRP value <6 and duration of therapy was <3 days. In group B-32 neonates had CRP value >6, 2 neonates treated for 5 days, 17 for 7 days, 13 for 11 days and 26 neonates had positive blood culture. CRP levels plays vital role to evaluate the duration of antibiotic therapy in neonates of suspected bacterial infection.