[NBT test evaluation during the neonatal period (author's transl)]

161 determinations of NBT performed according to the technique described by Park et al. on 67 patients of ages ranging from 1 hour born to 66 days, with weights between 1,610 to 4,600 g, and gestational ages from 34 to 41 weeks. During neonatal period, reduction of NBT is increased. Birth weight, fetal distress and neonatal asphixia do not seem to affect the NBT index during the first week of life. There is an inverse correlation (r = -0.557, p less than 0.001) between days of age and NBT test. Comparison of NBT test among infected and no infected newborns of various ages, showed significant differences (p less than 0.001). While NBT test may not be the key to detection of infection in neonatal period, according to results, it seems to be a fast and relatively simple test when seriated controls are performed on newborns believed to be infected.