Korean J Pediatr.  2018 May;61(5):156-159. 10.3345/kjp.2018.61.5.156.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of proadrenomedullin in neonatal sepsis

• Fahmey SS
• Mostafa H
• Elhafeez N
• Hussain H

• KMID: 2412142
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2018.61.5.156

Abstract

PURPOSE
Sepsis is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis is a major problem because of the lack of specific clinical signs. Therefore, a reliable diagnostic marker is needed to guide the use of antimicrobial agents. The objective of our study was to assess the value of proadrenomedullin (pro-ADM) in establishing the diagnosis and evaluating the prognosis of neonatal sepsis.
METHODS
This study enrolled 60 newborn infants with sepsis proven with positive blood cultures and 30 healthy neonates. Complete blood count, C-reactive protein levels, and pro-ADM levels were obtained from all neonates.
RESULTS
The pro-ADM levels were significantly higher (14.39±0.75 nmol/L) in the sepsis group than in the control group (3.12±0.23 nmol/L). The optimal cutoff value for pro-ADM was 4.3 nmol/L, with a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 86.7%. The pro-ADM levels were also higher in nonsurvivors (P=0.001).
CONCLUSION
Pro-ADM can be used as a reliable biomarker for neonatal sepsis. High pro-ADM levels were associated with mortality and could be an early indicator of disease outcome.

Keyword

Neonate; Proadrenomedullin; Sepsis; Marker

MeSH Terms

Anti-Infective Agents
Blood Cell Count
C-Reactive Protein
Diagnosis
Early Diagnosis
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Mortality
Prognosis
Sensitivity and Specificity
Sepsis*
Anti-Infective Agents
C-Reactive Protein