Janota, J., Stranák, Z., Bĕlohlávková, S., Mudra, K., & Simák, J. (2001). Postnatal increase of procalcitonin in premature newborns is enhanced by chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis. European Journal of Clinical Investigation, 31(11), 978-983. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2362.2001.00912.x
Janota J, Stranák Z, Bĕlohlávková S, Mudra K, Simák J. Postnatal increase of procalcitonin in premature newborns is enhanced by chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis. Eur J Clin Invest. 2001;31(11):978-983. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2362.2001.00912.x
Janota, J., et al. "Postnatal increase of procalcitonin in premature newborns is enhanced by chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis." European Journal of Clinical Investigation, vol. 31, no. 11, 2001, pp. 978-983.
For EndNote, Zotero or Mendeley:
License
No open license is recorded for this paper. Reuse terms are set by the publisher.
To determine the influence of chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis on procalcitonin (PCT) levels in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants within the first week of life.
Design
PCT serum levels were measured in cord blood 1 h after delivery and on day 3 and day 7 of life. Chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis within the first week were monitored.
Results
Chorioamnionitis was present in eight of 37 patients (21.6%). PCT on day 3 was increased in both the "No chorioamnionitis" (2.54 ng mL(-1), SEM 0.51) and "Chorioamnionitis" (6.96 ng mL(-1), SEM 2.93) groups of VLBW infants compared with the 1st hour values (0.45 and 0.58 ng mL(-1) SEM 0.07 and 0.11, respectively, P < 0.001) of the same patients. The postnatal gain was higher in the "Chorioamnionitis" group (P < 0.01). Neonatal sepsis was diagnosed (after exclusion) in 12 of 32 patients (37.5%). Mean values of maximum PCT in patients with and without sepsis were 8.41 ng mL(-1) (SEM 1.87) and 3.02 ng mL(-1) (SEM 1.38), respectively (P < 0.05). Sensitivity to sepsis of PCT, ratio of immature to total neutrophils (I : T), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were 75%, 50% and 25%, respectively.
Conclusions
In the group of VLBW infants the PCT level within 72 h of delivery was markedly increased in patients with chorioamnionitis. Compared with I : T and CRP, PCT appears to be a more sensitive marker of neonatal sepsis.
