Zeitschrift für Infektionskrankheiten und Präventivmedizin
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Presepsin: A New Marker of Neonatal Sepsis-Experience of a Tertiary Level NICU in Delhi

Sharma M, Sidana P and Mandhan G

Neonatal sepsis is a significant problem in any level of NICU with non-specific clinical features. Sepsis screen and blood culture are considered classical tools for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. However sepsis screen components are non-specific for neonatal sepsis and blood culture positivity rate is low. Empirical use of routine and broad spectrum antibiotic for one or two positive markers of sepsis and probability of sepsis in any clinically sick baby is a common practice especially in developing countries. We studied level of presepsin as a new marker of neonatal sepsis in our unit and results are very promising. When faced with clinical and biochemical dilemma of neonatal sepsis, use of prespsin level as a marker of sepsis can decrease overuse of expensive and irrational antibiotics and also decrease financial burden of family.