Diagnostic markers of infection in neonates

• Published in: Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition Vol. 89; no. 3; pp. F229 - F235
• Main Author: Ng, P C
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 01.05.2004; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Acute-Phase Proteins - analysis; Antigens, Bacterial - blood; Bacterial infections; Bacterial Infections - blood; Bacterial Infections - diagnosis; Biomarkers - blood; Blood Cell Count; C reactive protein; Cell Adhesion Molecules - blood; CRP; Cytokines - blood; diagnosis; Flow Cytometry; Humans; Infant, Newborn; infection; interleukin; Laboratories; markers; Mortality; Newborn babies; PCT; procalcitonin; Prognosis; Review; sepsis; SIRS; systemic inflammatory response syndrome; TNF; tumour necrosis factor
• ISSN: 1359-2998; 1468-2052
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.2002.023838

Diagnostic markers of infection are useful indicators of neonatal sepsis. Serial measurements of infection markers can improve diagnostic sensitivity, and the use of multiple markers can enhance diagnostic accuracy. Current evidence suggests that promising markers may be useful for early termination of antimicrobial treatment, but none of the current diagnostic tests are sensitive and specific enough to influence the clinical decision for withholding antibiotic treatment at the onset of suspected infection.