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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis
Published on: August 12, 2020
Secretory phospholipase A(2) in newborn infants with sepsis
A J J Schrama1, A J de Beaufort, B J H M Poorthuis
1Neonatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Objective:
To investigate secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) activity in neonatal sepsis.
Study Design:
Plasma sPLA(2) activity, C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, leukocyte count and immature/total neutrophil (I/T) ratio were assessed in a group of 156 infants admitted for neonatal intensive care, who were classified as documented sepsis (n=24), suspected infection (n=77) and controls (n=55). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations were assessed in a subgroup (n=29).
Result:
sPLA(2) activity, CRP concentration and I/T ratio were higher in sepsis than in suspected infection or control groups. sPLA(2) activity advanced with increasing CRP, I/T ratio and IL-6 was highest in infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Compared to CRP, sPLA(2) had equal sensitivity and lower specificity. Compared to I/T ratio, sensitivity and specificity of sPLA(2) were higher.
Conclusion:
Plasma sPLA(2) activity is increased in neonatal sepsis and highest in infants with RDS. Further studies should assess the potential of sPLA(2) inhibition in neonatal sepsis.
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