REVIEW

Diagnostic markers of infection in neonates

P C Ng

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Professor Ng
Department of Paediatrics, Level 6, Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong; pakcheungng{at}cuhk.edu.hk

Diagnostic markers of infection are useful indicators of neonatal sepsis. Serial measurements of infection markers can improve diagnostic sensitivity, and the use of multiple markers can enhance diagnostic accuracy. Current evidence suggests that promising markers may be useful for early termination of antimicrobial treatment, but none of the current diagnostic tests are sensitive and specific enough to influence the clinical decision for withholding antibiotic treatment at the onset of suspected infection.

Keywords: infection; markers; diagnosis; sepsis

Abbreviations: CRP, C reactive protein; IL, interleukin; PCT, procalcitonin; SIRS, systemic inflammatory response syndrome; TNF, tumour necrosis factor

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