The histochemical nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test in newborn infants

Normal values for the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test in full-term, premature and small-for-gestational-age infants are presented. The NBT reduction was elevated in all groups of babies studied. There was no statistical difference between the groups and the range was wide. Infected babies also showed elevated NBT reduction. However, 60% of the results obtained in the infected group fell within the same range as those obtained in normal neonates. This renders the test unhelpful in the diagnosis of bacterial infection in the neonatal period.