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Updated: Apr 10, 2026
A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis
Published on: August 12, 2020
Preterm Infants Can Mount Appropriate C-Reactive Protein Responses to Early Onset Sepsis
Sanket D Shah1, Ajay J Talati1, Mohamad T Elabiad1
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.
Insights
Infants born at or before 32 weeks gestational age (GA) show C-reactive protein (CRP) responses to bacterial sepsis comparable to those born after 32 weeks GA. This finding suggests similar inflammatory responses in both groups during early sepsis.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Biomarkers in Neonatal Sepsis
Background:
- Early onset bacterial sepsis is a significant concern in neonates.
- Gestational age (GA) is a critical factor influencing neonatal health outcomes.
- C-reactive protein (CRP) is a key inflammatory marker used in sepsis diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare C-reactive protein (CRP) responses in early-onset bacterial sepsis between preterm infants (≤32 weeks GA) and term infants (>32 weeks GA).
- To determine if gestational age impacts the ability to mount a CRP response to sepsis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of infants with positive bacterial cultures within 72 hours of birth (2003-2012).
- Infants were categorized into two groups based on gestational age: ≤32 weeks (Group A) and >32 weeks (Group B).
- CRP levels were analyzed to compare responses between and within groups over time.
Main Results:
- Group A comprised 25 infants, and Group B included 122 infants.
- Both groups exhibited similar CRP responses to sepsis (p=0.59), with significant intragroup changes over time (p<0.0001).
- The rate of CRP change over time was comparable between the two gestational age groups (p=0.74).
Conclusions:
- Infants born at ≤32 weeks GA demonstrate CRP responses to bacterial sepsis that are comparable to those born at >32 weeks GA.
- The findings suggest that preterm infants can mount an inflammatory response to sepsis similar to their term counterparts.
- CRP is a reliable biomarker for assessing sepsis in both preterm and term neonates.
Objective:
This study aims to evaluate whether infants born at ≤ 32 weeks' gestational age (GA) can mount C-reactive protein (CRP) responses during early onset bacterial sepsis that are comparable to infants born at > 32 weeks' GA.
Methods:
Retrospectively (2003-2012) infants with a positive bacterial culture during the first 72 hours of life were identified and grouped into two categories based on their GA: ≤ 32 weeks (group A) and > 32 weeks (group B).
Results:
Group A included 25 and group B included 122 infants. Both groups responded similarly to sepsis with an increase in CRP (p = 0.59). Each group had a significant change in intragroup CRP levels over time (p < 0.0001). However, in both groups, the degree of this change was at the same rate over time (p = 0.74).
Conclusion:
CRP responses to bacterial sepsis during the first 72 hours of life in infants born at ≤ 32 weeks' GA are comparable to infants born at > 32 weeks' GA.
