Role of Inflammatory Markers in the Diagnosis of Sepsis in Neonates and Infants Under 3 Months of Age: A Single-Center Study

Background Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by organ failure resulting from an abnormal immune response to an infection. Diagnostic biomarkers are crucial tools for determining the presence or absence of disease and for monitoring clinical conditions. C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin are two key biomarkers frequently utilized in clinical practice. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of inflammatory markers, specifically Spell out and CRP, in detecting sepsis among neonates and infants under 3 months of age. Methods A 5-year retrospective cohort study was conducted at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All patients under the age of 3 months who were diagnosed with sepsis. Statistical analysis used is the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results A total of 264 patients were reviewed in this study. Among these, 115 patients were classified as septic based on abnormal results in urine culture, blood culture, or cerebrospinal fluid. Lethargy was observed in 31 (60.8%), poor feeding was noted in 43 (41.7%), and Irritability was reported in 16 (15.7%) of septic cases. PCT was abnormal in 59 (57.3%) septic patients, while CRP was abnormal in 25 (24.3%) septic patients. Regression analysis of the association between inflammatory markers and sepsis showed no statistically significant association between PCT and CRP with sepsis. Conclusion Despite the high prevalence of abnormal PCT levels among our pediatric patients, our analysis revealed no statistically significant association between PCT and CRP biomarkers and the development of sepsis. Further investigations are warranted to identify the most effective inflammatory marker for detecting neonatal sepsis both in our region and globally.