Yonsei Med J.  2014 Jan;55(1):113-117. 10.3349/ymj.2014.55.1.113.

Positive Maternal C-Reactive Protein Predicts Neonatal Sepsis

• Jeon JH
• Namgung R
• Park MS
• Park KI
• Lee C

• KMID: 1779894
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2014.55.1.113

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the diagnostic performance of maternal inflammatory marker: C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting early onset neonatal sepsis (that occurring within 72 hours after birth).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
126 low birth weight newborns (gestation 32+/-3.2 wk, birth weight 1887+/-623 g) and their mothers were included. Neonates were divided into sepsis group (n=51) including both proven (positive blood culture) and suspected (negative blood culture but with more than 3 abnormal clinical signs), and controls (n=75). Mothers were subgrouped into CRP positive > or =1.22 mg/dL (n=48) and CRP negative <1.22 mg/dL (n=78) group, determined by Receiver Operating Characteristic curves, and odds ratio was calculated for neonatal sepsis according to maternal condition.
RESULTS
Maternal CRP was significantly higher in neonatal sepsis group than in control (3.55+/-2.69 vs. 0.48+/-0.31 mg/dL, p=0.0001). Maternal CRP (cutoff value >1.22 mg/dL) had sensitivity 71% and specificity 84% for predicting neonatal sepsis. Maternal CRP positive group had more neonatal sepsis than CRP negative group (71% vs. 29%, p<0.001). Odds ratio of neonatal sepsis in maternal CRP positive group versus CRP negative group was 10.68 (95% confidence interval: 4.313-26.428, p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
The risk of early onset neonatal sepsis significantly increased in the case of positive maternal CRP (> or =1.22 mg/dL). In newborn of CRP positive mother, the clinician may be alerted to earlier evaluation for possible neonatal infection prior to development of sepsis.

Keyword

Neonatal sepsis; chorioamnionitis; maternal C-reacitve protein

MeSH Terms

C-Reactive Protein/*metabolism
Chorioamnionitis/metabolism
Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Male
Mothers
Pregnancy
Sepsis/diagnosis/*metabolism
C-Reactive Protein

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Cutoff value determined by Receive Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves: sensitivity 71%, specificity 84%.

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