Serum Leptin Versus C-Reactive Protein in The Early Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis

Abstract

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a systemic inflammatory reaction that is triggered by an infective agent. When sepsis occurs, multiple redundant inflammatory cytokines are released into the blood stream, including, leptin, Creactive protein (CRP). Aim of the Study: was to compare the sensitivity of serum leptin and C-reactive protein in early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study conducted in the Zagazig General Hospital and included (34) newborn infants. The tests used were, blood culture, C - Reactive protein Level, and serum leptin level. Results: 76.5% of the studied group had +ve culture results. The most frequent organism was staph 12 (35.3%). There was a statistically significant increase in CRP and Leptin among +ve cases compared to –ve cases. There was a positive statistically significant correlation between serum leptin levels and CRP. The sensitivity of CRP in the diagnosis of sepsis at the cut off 18 was 65.4%, specificity was 50% and the accuracy was 61.8%. While the sensitivity of Leptin in the diagnosis of sepsis at the cut off 0.07 was 84.6%, specificity was 87.5% and the accuracy was 85.3%. Conclusion: Leptin is an effective diagnostic marker for sepsis and more accurate when compared with CRP