Background: Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening disease. Early diagnosis is essential, but no single marker of infection has been identified. Sepsis activates a coagulation cascade with simultaneous production of the D-dimers due to lysis of fibrin. D-dimer test reflects the activation of the coagulation system.
Aim and objectives: the main aim of this study was to evaluate the level of D-dimer in neonatal sepsis as a diagnostic test and if has a role in the severity or complications of neonatal sepsis.
Subjects and methods: This was cross-sectional study that conducted in the tertiary care NICU of Bab El-sheria and Al- Hussein University Hospitals, Al-Azhar University. This study was conducted on 40 septic newborns (Patients group), and 40 non-septic newborns served as Control group.
Results: There was high positive significant correlation between D-dimer and mortality (r=0.858, P<0.001), and there was high positive significant correlation between D-dimer and I/T ratio and high negative significant correlation with PLT.
Conclusion: D-dimer is a sensitive predictor of sepsis in neonates with sensitivity 80%, specificity 96%, negative predictive value 88.9% and positive predictive value 92.3%. Hence, it should be included in the septic screening of newborns.