Background: Sepsis is defined as a potentially life-threatening condition that emerges when the host response to infections exceeds normal limits and impairs vital organ functions. Many biological markers have been identified, including procalcitonin, interleukins, pro-vasopressin, C-reactive protein and presepesin. Objectives: The current study aimed to assess value of different hematological biomarkers in neonates with suspected sepsis in comparison with both of the already identified biomarkers for sepsis. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 58 neonates with suspected neonatal sepsis, admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Aswan University Hospitals in the period from July 2022 to December 2022. Results: Presepsin, procalcitonin, C-Reactive Protein/Platelet ratio and Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio were significantly correlated to septic risk factors and signs. While these markers were negatively correlated to oxygen saturation percentage SO2%, weight, length, head circumference, platelet, hemoglobin, and lymphocytes. Strong positive correlation was observed between Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio and C-Reactive Protein /platelet ratio and between procalcitonin and persepsin. Reversely, weak positive correlation was present between Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio and either of procalcitonin, or persepsin and between C-Reactive Protein /platelet ratio and either procalcitonin or persepsin. Conclusion: persepsin, procalcitonin, C-Reactive Protein/Platelet and Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio can be used for diagnosis, early detection and monitoring of neonatal sepsis. Further studies are needed to confirm the predictive power of C-Reactive Protein/Platelet and Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio.
Keywords: Neonatal Sepsis, NICU, Presepsin, NLR, PCT, CRP and Platelat