Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 20, 2025
A Controlled Mouse Model for Neonatal Polymicrobial Sepsis
Published on: January 27, 2019
Reference ranges of Presepsin in preterm infants in the first 48 h of life: A multicenter observational study
Chiara Poggi1, Maria Viola Vasarri1, Luca Boni2
1Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care, Department of Mother and Child Care, Careggi University Hospital, 3 Largo Brambilla, Florence 50141, Italy.
Insights
This study establishes reference ranges for Presepsin (P-SEP) in preterm infants, finding that gestational age influences P-SEP levels in the first 48 hours of life. These findings aid in understanding biomarker trends in vulnerable newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Biomarker Research
- Pediatric Sepsis
Background:
- Early-onset sepsis (EOS) is a concern in preterm infants, often leading to antibiotic use.
- Current diagnostic approaches may benefit from refined biomarker reference ranges.
- Presepsin (P-SEP) is a potential biomarker for sepsis, but its reference ranges in preterm neonates require definition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reference ranges for Presepsin (P-SEP) during the initial 48 hours of life in preterm infants.
- To investigate the impact of neonatal and maternal factors on P-SEP levels.
- To provide percentile distributions for P-SEP at multiple time points post-birth.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of newborns born at or before 32 weeks gestational age (GA).
- Blood samples collected for P-SEP, blood culture, and white blood cell (WBC) count at 0-6 hours (T0).
- P-SEP measurements repeated at 12±3 (T1), 24±3 (T2), and 48±6 (T3) hours; early-onset sepsis cases excluded from analysis.
Main Results:
- Median P-SEP values ranged from 513 ng/L at 48 hours to 614 ng/L at 12 hours.
- 5th and 95th percentiles for P-SEP were established across the four time points.
- P-SEP levels showed a negative association with gestational age (GA) at T0, T1, and T2.
Conclusions:
- Reference ranges for P-SEP in very preterm infants during the first 48 hours of life have been determined.
- Percentile distributions for P-SEP at T0, T1, T2, and T3 are now available.
- Gestational age was identified as a significant factor influencing P-SEP measurements in this cohort.
Background And Objectives:
Despite low incidence of early-onset sepsis, the majority of preterm newborns receive early antibiotic prophylaxis. Our aim was to assess reference ranges of Presepsin during the first 48 h of life in preterm infants and to evaluate the possible influence of neonatal and maternal factors on its values.
Methods:
This observational study consecutively enrolled newborns ≤ 32 weeks of GA at 0-6 h of life. Enrolled infants were sampled for blood culture, complete white blood cell (WBC) count, and P-SEP at 0-6 (T0) h of life and for P-SEP at 12 ± 3 (T1), 24 ± 3 (T2), and 48 ± 6 (T3) h of life. Cases of EOS were not considered for the statistical analysis.
Results:
Data analysis was performed for 183 patients. P-SEP median values were 583 ng/L at T0 (IQR 405-800 ng/L, 5th and 95th percentiles 204 and 1200 ng/L), 614 ng/L at T1 (IQR 450-812 ng/L, 5th and 95th percentiles 262 and 1171 ng/L), 604 ng/L at T2 (IQR 445-825 ng/L, 5th and 95th percentiles 292 and 1302 ng/L) and 513 ng/L at T3 (IQR 371-734 ng/L, 5th and 95th percentiles 249 and 1278 ng/L). P-SEP values are negatively associated to gestational age (GA) at T0, T1, and T2.
Conclusions:
We determined for the first time the reference ranges of P-SEP during the first 48 h of life in very preterm infants and provided its percentile distribution at T0, T1, T2 and T3. P-SEP measurement was affected by GA at T0, T1, T2.
