C-reactive protein levels in the first days of life: a systematic statistical approach

Coghe F;ORRU, GERMANO;Ferraguti P;Accossu S;Faa R;Erriu M;CONI, PIERPAOLO;PIRAS, VINCENZO;DENOTTI, GLORIA;Pautasso M;Mussap M;FANOS, VASSILIOS

2012-01-01

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Abstract

Microbial neonatal infections are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality and for this reason there is a growing interest for new approaches in the clinical government of this human affection. Using an integrated statistical model, this work investigated the role of the C-reactive protein (CRP) in the diagnosis and therapy assessment for sepsis in 386 cases of early-onset neonatal sepsis . Methods: 386 intensive care unit (ICU) neonatal patients were enrolled in this work. Different clinical-laboratory parameters, such as : CRP level, blood culture, complete blood cell count (CBC), urine and other blood tests were assessed for the first seven days after birth. Several statistical methods have been used to estimate the correlation CRP –septicaemia, using Chi-squared, Pearson, Anova and Poisson distribution. Results: a statistical positive correlation (CRP value vs septicaemia status) was observed to integrate the Anova and Poisson distribution methods, especially in the first days after birth. Conclusion: A correct statistical evaluation of CRP values could be significant for risk prediction and subsequent prompt therapy in neonatal sepsis