Role of C Reactive Protein as a Rapid Screening Test for the Judicious Use of Antibiotics in Neonatal Sepsis.

ABSTRACT

Neonatal infections according to WHO cause mortality in 42% of cases out of which neonatal sepsis is a major cause. C-reactive protein plays a very important role in screening of neonatal sepsis as it can predict an early infection. C-reactive protein added to the full clinical picture contributes usefully to diagnosis, prognosis and management. Sometimes, the antibiotics have to be given for a longer time but CRP can help in early discontinuation of antibiotics. In the present study, 7032 neonates in the age group 0-28 days were screened, using latex agglutination test kit by Tulip diagnostics. A concentration of 0.6mg/dl was taken as positive. Negative and positive controls were always included in the test. The prognosis of a case of sepsis was judged by repeated estimation of CRP at 48 hours, then 72 hours and subsequent to the clinical response and effect of antibiotic therapy. In cases showing CRP more than or equal to 0.6mg/dl, serial doubling dilutions of patients serum were tested to find out its exact amount. Of 7032 neonates examined, 2707 (38.5%) had CRP level >0.6mg/dl.