Shaheena Batool, Fehmina Arif, Jalal Uddin Akbar, Dure Samin Akram.
Value of hematological and viochemical indices in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.
Pak Paed J Jan ;29(4):183-7.

There were 100 cases of neonates with signs and symptoms suggestive of sepsis. WBC count showed low sensitivity (28.3%) but high specificity (77.5%). Neutrophilia was more commonly associated with culture proven sepsis than neutropenia. Platelet count had a low sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. CRP showed high sensitivity (93%) but low specificity (25%). Culture positive cases showed one or more than one positive test, so the sensitivity of NPV was 100%. Not a single patient showed all positive tests in culture negative cases, so with all tests positive, the likelihood of sepsis was 100% (PPV). The likelihood of sepsis increased with the increasing number of positive tests. It is thus concluded that not a single test had accepted sensitivity, specificity and PPV; they all improved with increasing number of positive tests. With all test positive the likelihood of sepsis present was 100% and with all test negative the likelihood of sepsis absent was 100%. With the help of screening tests, if sepsis appears unlikely, the antibiotics can be stopped earlier, thereby reducing the cost, duration of hospital stay and anxiety of parents. Place of study: Paediatric Unit-I, Civil Hospital Karachi, Dow University of Health Sciences.

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