Preterm Infants Can Mount Appropriate C-Reactive Protein Responses to Early Onset Sepsis

Abstract

Objective This study aims to evaluate whether infants born at ≤ 32 weeks' gestational age (GA) can mount C-reactive protein (CRP) responses during early onset bacterial sepsis that are comparable to infants born at > 32 weeks' GA.

Methods Retrospectively (2003–2012) infants with a positive bacterial culture during the first 72 hours of life were identified and grouped into two categories based on their GA: ≤ 32 weeks (group A) and > 32 weeks (group B).

Results Group A included 25 and group B included 122 infants. Both groups responded similarly to sepsis with an increase in CRP (p = 0.59). Each group had a significant change in intragroup CRP levels over time (p < 0.0001). However, in both groups, the degree of this change was at the same rate over time (p = 0.74).

Conclusion CRP responses to bacterial sepsis during the first 72 hours of life in infants born at ≤ 32 weeks' GA are comparable to infants born at > 32 weeks' GA.

Keywords

CRP - early onset sepsis - GBS - CONS

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