Contribution of C-reactive protein in the detection of sepsis in newborns: A cross-sectional study

Background: The objective of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness and contribution of the C-reactive protein dosage, widely used in our context, in the early detection of neonatal sepsis and diagnostic orientation. Methods: Retrospective study, conducted at the clinical biochemistry laboratory, in collaboration with the microbiology laboratory, in newborns admitted to the neonatology department for management of confirmed or suspected neonatal infection, during a period extending from January to December 2020. Results: A total of 300 blood cultures were performed. The sex ratio M/F: 1, 38. The average age was 11. 24 days. There were 148 positive cultures among which there were 120 positive CRP, that is 81%. And 152 sterile cultures with 50 positive CRP. The mean CRP value in the positive cultures was 62. 67 mg/L. It was 15. 53 mg/l in sterile cultures. The chi-square statistic calculated for our analysis is 70. 906 with a significance level (alpha) of 0. 05. The point-biserial correlation coefficient (rₚb) for this study is 1. 51 Conclusion: Although there are currently more specific and sensitive early markers of inflammation, the C-reactive protein determination, widely used in our context, provides sufficient sensitivity and specificity in the diagnostic orientation of neonatal sepsis.