Sidra Tul Muntaha, Waqas Akram, Farhan Hassan.
Prognostic Value of Anti-Thrombin III Level in Neonatal Sepsis.
J Rawal Med Coll Jan ;20(3):202-5.

Background: To determine levels of Anti-thrombin III and its prognostic value in predicting neonatal sepsis.MMeetthhooddss::In this descriptive study full termneonates (n=70)were recruited. For the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis2 or more of the physical signs and laboratory criteria were taken into account for(temperature instability< 35 or > 38.5C;tachypnea > 60/min; tachycardia > 200/min;capillary refill > 3sec; C-reactive protein level > 1 ng/ml). Neonates in which factors which affect the prognosis irrespective of disease severity of neonatal sepsis and neonates who presented with complications of sepsis such as, multiple congenital anomalies, birth weight< 2 kg, birth asphyxia, neonates who received prior treatment or presenting with complications were excluded. Patients with Anti-thrombin III levels less than 35 UIU/dl were considered as bad prognostic group and those with Anti-thrombin III level between 50 –75 IU/ dl were considered as good prognostic group .The neonates were followed for 2 weeks. Outcomes were assessed in terms of total duration of hospital stay, complications developed, discharge or death of the neonate. p-value less than or equal to 0.05 was considered significant. RReessuullttss::The mean Anti-thrombin III level in the good prognosis group was 53.098.8 whereas in the bad prognosis group was 41.6610.58 IU/dl(p <0.05). Anti-thrombin III level below 50 IU/dl had a sensitivity of 62.8%, specificity of 77.1%, positive predictive value of 73.3% and a negative predictive value of 67.5% for predicting poor prognosis and death.CCoonncclluussiioonn::Anti-thrombin III levelscan be a potential indicator of prognosis in neonatal sepsis.

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