[Utility of C-reactive protein in early neonatal sepsis]. / Utilidad de la proteína C-reactiva en la sepsis neonatal temprana.

BACKGROUND: The low sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic aids and the low isolation in cultures make it difficult to recognize early-onset bacterial sepsis in neonates. AIM: Determine the diagnostic validity of C reactive protein (CRP) in early neonatal sepsis. METHOD: The role of CRP in the diagnosis of early-onset neonatal sepsis was evaluated. Levels were measured at 12 and 48 hours of life in patients with suspected sepsis. When evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of the CRP, the result was used quantitatively, using a non-parametric ROC curve to estimate sensitivity and specificity, likelihood ratios and percentage of correct classification for each possible cut-off point. RESULTS: The study included 198 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive probability index and negative probability index of CRP, were 72.2 - 82.4 - 45.2 - 93.7 - 4.1, and 0.3, respectively with area under the curve of 0.78. CONCLUSIONS: CRP is particularly useful to rule out infection. Two negative serial CRP in the absence of clinical symptoms and positive blood cultures have a high negative predictive value and a negative probability index in favor of excluding infection with high certainty and/or discontinuing antibiotic therapy.

Utilidad de la proteína C-reactiva en la sepsis neonatal temprana / Utility of C-reactive protein in early neonatal sepsis

INTRODUCCIÓN: La baja sensibilidad y especificidad de las ayudas diagnósticas y el bajo aislamiento en los cultivos dificulta el reconocimiento de la sepsis bacteriana de inicio temprano en neonatos. OBJETIVO: Determinar la validez diagnóstica de la de la proteína C reactiva (PCR) en la sepsis en la sepsis neonatal temprana. MÉTODO: Se evaluó el papel de la PCR en el diagnóstico de sepsis neonatal temprana. Las concentraciones se midieron a las 12 y 48 h de vida en pacientes con sospecha de sepsis. Al evaluar la sensibilidad y especificidad de la PCR, se utilizó el resultado de manera cuantitativa y mediante una curva ROC no paramétrica se estimó sensibilidad y especificidad, razones de verosimilitud y porcentaje de clasificación correcta para cada punto de corte posible. RESULTADOS: El estudio incluyó 198 pacientes. La sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictor positivo (VPP), valor predictor negativo (VPN), índice de probabilidad positiva e índice de probabilidad negativa de la PCR fue de 72,2 - 82,4 - 45,2 - 93,7 - 4,1 y 0,3, respectivamente con área bajo la curva de 0,78. CONCLUSIONES: La PCR es particularmente útil para descartar una infección. Dos PCR seriadas negativas en ausencia de expresión clínica y de hemocultivos positivos tienen un alto VPN y un índice de probabilidad negativa a favor de excluir la infección con una alta certeza y/o de descontinuar la terapia antibiótica.

BACKGROUND: The low sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic aids and the low isolation in cultures make it difficult to recognize early-onset bacterial sepsis in neonates. AIM: Determine the diagnostic validity of C reactive protein (CRP) in early neonatal sepsis. METHOD: The role of CRP in the diagnosis of early-onset neonatal sepsis was evaluated. Levels were measured at 12 and 48 hours of life in patients with suspected sepsis. When evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of the CRP, the result was used quantitatively, using a non-parametric ROC curve to estimate sensitivity and specificity, likelihood ratios and percentage of correct classification for each possible cut-off point. RESULTS: The study included 198 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive probability index and negative probability index of CRP, were 72.2 - 82.4 - 45.2 - 93.7 - 4.1, and 0.3, respectively with area under the curve of 0.78. CONCLUSIONS: CRP is particularly useful to rule out infection. Two negative serial CRP in the absence of clinical symptoms and positive blood cultures have a high negative predictive value and a negative probability index in favor of excluding infection with high certainty and/or discontinuing antibiotic therapy.