OBJECTIVETo study the clinical values of C-reactive protein (CRP), the percentage of neutrophils, and mean platelet volume (MPV) in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

METHODSA total of 315 neonates who were confirmed to have sepsis between January 2010 and May 2014 were divided into two groups: proven sepsis (with a positive blood culture; n=207) and clinical sepsis (with a clinical diagnosis; n=108). Within the same period, 132 hospitalized neonates with noninfectious diseases were enrolled as the control group. Serum CRP level, percentage of neutrophils, and MPV were measured. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to evaluate the values of the three parameters in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

RESULTSSerum CRP level, percentage of neutrophils, and MPV were significantly higher in the two sepsis groups than in the control group (P<0.05). The optimal cut-off point of CRP for the diagnosis of sepsis was 8.5 mg/L, with the sensitivity and specificity of 74.6% and 92.0%, respectively. The optimal cut-off point of the percentage of neutrophils for the diagnosis of sepsis was 0.53, with the sensitivity and specificity of 64.4% and 83.3%, respectively. The optimal cut-off point of MPV for the diagnosis of sepsis was 11.4 fL, with the sensitivity and specificity of 40.5% and 88.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe diagnostic accuracy of CRP for neonatal sepsis is superior to those of the percentage of neutrophils and MPV. The measurements of the percentage of neutrophils and MPV hold promise for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.