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Latinoamericana de lnfectología Pediátrica.
Órgano de la Asociación Mexicana de
Infectología Pediátrica, A.C.
Órgano difusor de la Sociedad Española
de lnfectología

2026, Number 1

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Rev Latin Infect Pediatr 2026; 39 (1)

Usefulness of serum procalcitonin as a biomarker of early neonatal sepsis in preterm infants < 1,500 g according to the postnatal measurement time

De RFPF, Acosta HD, Minero HMÁ, Rendón MME, Silva RH

Language: Spanish
References: 23
Page: 10-16
PDF size: 783.51 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Introduction: procalcitonin (PCT) has been proposed as a useful biomarker for the detection of early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS), particularly in preterm infants with very low birth weight (VLBW), due to its rapid kinetics and high specificity for bacterial infections. Objective: to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of PCT as a diagnostic tool for EONS in neonates weighing less than 1,500 grams, according to the time of its determination during the first hours of postnatal life. Material and methods: retrospective cohort study of 196 preterm newborns, in whom serum PCT levels were measured at different times of intrauterine life, evaluating its association with the diagnosis of EONS. Results: measuring PCT between 13 and 24 hours of postnatal life showed the best sensitivity (83.7%) and specificity (60%) for the diagnosis of EONS, with a cutoff value of 5.4 ng/mL. Conclusion: determining PCT during this critical period could improve the timely diagnosis of early-onset neonatal sepsis and support clinical decisions regarding the initiation or discontinuation of antibiotics and other therapeutic interventions.


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