An Observational Study on C-Reactive Protein to Platelet Ratio in Neonatal Sepsis

Neonatal sepsis is a serious medical condition affecting many individuals in the developing world. C-reactive protein (CRP) level in serum and platelet counts have been reported to have role in diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

To evaluate the CRP to Platelet ratio (CPR) in relation to time and blood culture reports in neonatal sepsis patients from a tertiary care centre in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra.

The present observational study was conducted at the level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary care centre in Aurangabad city of Marathwada region in Maharashtra from September 2022 to July 2023. The study included 120 neonates (delivered after completion of 28-42 weeks of gestation) with clinical/culture-positive sepsis. The newborns of seropositive mothers, neonates delivered in other hospitals, babies with congenital dysmorphic features, and babies requiring surgical procedures were excluded from the study. Blood samples for complete blood count (CBC) and CRP were collected on days 1, 3 and 5. Blood cultures were sent on day 1 of illness. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the parameters of CPR, CRP, and platelet count in blood culture-positive and blood culture-negative neonatal sepsis patients on days 1, 3 and 5.

Blood culture was positive in 37 (30.8%) cases. A repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant overall difference in the CPR across days 1, 3, and 5 (p = 0.006). The CPR was significantly higher in culture-positive neonates compared to culture-negative neonates (p = 0.042).

Higher CPR in blood culture-positive neonates compared to blood culture-negative neonates supports the role of CPR in the diagnosis and management of neonatal sepsis.