Role of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor [G-CSF] as early marker in diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

ABSTRACT

Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening disease with an incidence of 1 to 10 per 1000 live births, and a mortality rate of 15% to 50% [Remington and Klein 1990]. The clinical signs of neonatal sepsis are nonspecific and indistinguishable from those caused by a variety of neonatal noninfective disorders, such as aspiration syndrome, maladaptation. and respiratory distress syndrome [RDS]. It is therefore recommended for all neonates who develop these signs to start empirical antimicrobial therapy [Remington and Klein, 1995]. Our work was carried out on 56 neonates [37 males and 19 females] selected from Benha University Hospitals and from "Center EI Gameeia El Shareya for neonates at Nasr City" in the period from March 2002 to January 2003. For each case we performed G-CSF serum level and the preliminary laboratory tests [CBC, CRP, blood cultures] and accordingly our patients were classified into 3 groups Group I [Proven sepsis with +ve blood culture result]. Group II [Suspected sepsis with -ve blood culture result and suspected clinical and laboratory sepsis] and Group III [Non-septic neonates with -ve blood culture and - ve CRP]. Our results were tabulated, statistically analyzed and recommendations were put