Mini-erythrocyte sedimentation rates in healthy and infected Nigerian neonates

Normal values for mini-erythrocyte sedimentation rates (mini-ESR) in healthy Nigerian neonates are reported and compared with values obtained for infected neonates. The mean and 95th percentile values, measured in mm/h in healthy neonates in the first week of life, range from 1.8 to 7.7, and in the 4th week of life from 9.1 to 16. The mini-ESR values of the infected neonates were significantly higher than the 95th percentile values of healthy neonates. Because the sensitivity and specificity of the mini-ESR in the diagnosis of neonatal infection are high, its application as an appropriate technology for evaluating suspected cases of infection in the developing countries should be encouraged.