Leukocyte Indices or Crp for Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis

Quantitative serum CRP measurement is better than leukocyte indices for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Level of evidence: "C"

A systematic review 1 including 16 studies with a total of 2219 subjects was abstracted in DARE. Due to heterogeneity of studies no meta-analysis was attempted. The leukocyte count and ratios had a wide range of sensitivity (17 - 90%) and specificity (31 - 100%). Measuring CRP qualitatively showed sensitivity results of 44 - 92% and specificity of 42 - 93%). Measuring CRP quantitatively showed sensitivity results of 58 - 100% (5 of the studies recordied sensitivities of 100%) and a specificity of 68 - 94%.

References

Da Silva O, Ohlsson A, Kenyon C. Accuracy of leukocyte indices and C-reactive protein for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis: a critical review. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1995 May;14(5):362-6. [PubMed] [DARE]

Primary/Secondary Keywords

Infectious diseases
Neonatology
Paediatrics
leukocyte indices
CRP
neonatal sepsis
sepsis
Diagnosis

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Evidence summaries

Leukocyte Indices or Crp for Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis

References