Usefulness of a semi-quantitative procalcitonin test kit for early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

Introduction: This study was designed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a semiquantitative procalcitonin (PCT) test kit for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Methods: Infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with signs suggestive of sepsis were recruited into the study. Prior to commencement on antibiotics, the following investigations were carried out on each of these infants: blood culture and sensitivity, PCT semi-quantitation and Creactive protein (CRP) estimation. Infants already on antibiotics, or who developed signs of sepsis within 72 hours of discontinuation of antibiotics, were excluded from the study.