Role of Procalcitonin in the Early Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis

Summary Objectives: To evaluate the specificity of Procalcitonin (ProCT) as marker of neonatal infection. Materials and Methods: The study includes 131 newborns admitted to the NICU. ProCT was determined in 5 groups of newborn with Sepsis, Asphyxia, Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), Localized Infection and in uninfected patients. Results: Serum ProCT values were significatively high in sepsis group vs control group (p <0.002). ProCT levels correlate with the severity of Sepsis (p <0.002). Conclusions: In neonatal period, monitoring of PCT allows a rapid diagnosis of infection and is most valuable for evaluating treatment efficacy and prognosis.