What role do acute phase markers such as procalcitonin and C-reactive protein play in a neonatal sepsis workup?
Procalcitonin (PCT) is a proposed marker for early sepsis in infants and is more sensitive than C-reactive protein (CRP), but less specific; in addition, the interpretive cutoffs established for adults may not be transferable to the pediatric population. 1
CRP is helpful in ruling out neonatal sepsis in full-term infants; a cutoff of 2.0-2.5 ng/mL is moderately accurate in predicting neonatal sepsis. 4 Recent studies suggest similar efficacy in preterm infants
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