C-reactive protein as a marker For the duration of antibiotic therapy in Neonatal sepsis

Infection is one of the major problems in neonates. It is estimated that infection contributes to approximately 30%-40% of the deaths of the 5 million neonates who die every year in low-income countries. Neonatal sepsis is a clinical syndrome of systemic illness accompanied by bacteremia occurring in the first month of life.The diagnosis of neonatal sepsis is difficult to establish based on the clinical criteria alone because of non-specific signs and symptoms. For this reason, there have been many attempts to develop screening tests to identify infected neonates and guide the duration of treatment.Aim of the work:This work aimed to study: 1) the use of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of neonatal sepsis and 2) The use of CRP as a marker for the duration of antibiotic therapy in neonates with sepsis.Study Design:This prospective study was carried out during year 2010, in the neonatal Intensive care unit of Sherbin Central Hospital, Dakahlya Governorate, on selected 34 neonates suffering from neonatal sepsis. Meanwhile, neonates suffering meningitis, congenital malformations, birth asphyxia, respiratory distress syndrome or meconium aspiration were.