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J Pediatr Infect Dis 2021; 16(03): 099-105
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1726118
Original Article

Delta Neutrophil Index as a Diagnostic Marker of Neonatal Sepsis

Nuriye Asli Melekoglu 
1   Department of Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, School of Medicine, Malatya Turgut Özal University, Malatya, Turkey
,
Seyma Yasar
2   Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Inonu, Malatya, Turkey
,
Mehmet Keskin
3   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Gaziantep, Şehitkamil/Gaziantep, Turkey
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Objective Sepsis diagnosis is challenging due to nonspecific symptomatology in newborns. Timely diagnosis is essential for reducing sepsis-related morbidity and mortality. This study was performed to determine the diagnostic value of the delta neutrophil index (DNI) for detection of neonatal sepsis and to compare its efficacy with other conventional markers.

Methods This study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in newborns with confirmed sepsis (n = 59), suspected sepsis (n = 46), and in age- and weight-matched controls (n = 49). DNI, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and platelet measurements were determined, and blood cultures were performed at the onset of symptoms.

Results The mean DNI was significantly higher in confirmed and clinical sepsis groups compared with the control group. (6.9 ± 9.3, 1.9 ± 2.1, and 0.4 ± 0.5, respectively, p < 0.001). ROC curve analysis also showed that the combination of DNI and CRP had the highest sensitivity (86%), specificity (100%), and positive predictive value (100%) for predicting neonatal sepsis. DNI values were significantly higher in nonsurvivors (p < 0.05).

Conclusion DNI could be used as a reliable diagnostic marker for neonatal sepsis, and high DNI could predict sepsis development and unfavorable outcomes. The diagnostic capability of DNI may be increased by assessing CRP measurements simultaneously.

Keywords

delta neutrophil index - sepsis - newborn


Publication History

Received: 06 August 2020

Accepted: 19 December 2020

Article published online:
25 February 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
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