Diagnostic Value of Combined: C- Reactive Protein, Total Leukocyte Count and Platelet Count in Neonatal Sepsis

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic value of combination of Total Leukocyte Count, Platelet count and C - reactive protein for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.
Patients and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Pediatrics, DHQ hospital, Sargodha. Blood samples for Sepsis work-up including C-reactive protein (CRP), Platelet count, TLC and blood culture collected were before the initiation of antibiotic therapy. The complete blood count was done on the automated hematology analyzer; CRP level estimation was done by Latex agglutination method. Patient having abnormal values of TLC, CRP and Platelet count were followed by report of blood culture which was used as gold standard for the diagnosis of Neonatal sepsis.
Results: There were 98(38%) male and 162(62%) female patients with mean age of 1.8 ± 1.6 days. C-reactive protein, total leukocytes counts and platelet count collectively, were abnormal in 132(50.7%) suspected neonates with sepsis. Blood culture was found positive in 166(63.8%) neonates. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of combined abnormal CRP, total leukocyte counts and platelet count was 75.3%, 92.5%, 94.6% and 67.9% respectively.
Conclusion: The diagnostic value of combined abnormal tests (CRP, TLC and platelet count) was found significant and can be used for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis when boold culture results are awaited.