Value of procalcitonin measurement in neonatal infections.

The value of procalcitonin (PCT) measurement is not presently completely as sessed for the diagnosis of neonatal infections. Patients and,methods. - This parameter was assessed in a prospective study in the neonatal intensive care unit of Clermont-Ferrand and Hospital (Franc e) in comparison to C-reactive protein. All newborn infants admitted before 24 h of life (day 0) in the neonatal intensive care unit were included in the study. Newborns (102) were assigned to one of four groups: group 1: non infected newborns (n = 41); group 2: possibly infected newborns (n = 33); g roup 3: probably infected newborns (n =10); group 4: confirmed infections ( n = 18 bacterial or fungal infections). C-reactive protein and PCT were det ermined in the sei-a at DO, DI, D3 and D8. Ne determined the optimal cutoff value of PCT using the Receiver Operating Characteristic curves (R.O.C.). Results, - The cutoff value is 1.5 ng/mL at D0 and 10 ng/mL. at Dr. PCT cut off value is significantly higher at DI because of a significant PCT peak o n the first dag of life independent of any infectious stimulus. Our study s hows that at DO and DI infected newborn infants had significantly higher me an PCT and C-reactive protein values than non infected,newborn infants. C-r eactive protein has a better specificity but PCT has better sensitivity and negative predictive value. Conclusion, - PCT seems to be ail interesting marker of neonatal infections especially during the first 24 h of life er en though the mechanism of PCT synthesis remains unclear: (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.