Comparative study on the value of interleukin 6 and C reactive protein as early diagnosis markers of neonatal infection

Objective To compare the significance of IL-6and C reactive protein(CRP)in early diagnosis and prognosis of neonatal sepsis,and to timely detect neonates in high-risk of infection. Methods A total of 80 neonatal sepsis patients from January 2009 to December 2012 in NICU who met the criteria were included,and 80 cases of non-sepsis were set as the control group.After admission,blood was collected before use of antibiotics,and then submitted for CRP,IL-6detection,blood routine examination and blood culture.The CRP and IL-6were reviewed at 4h,24 hafter the use of antibiotics for patient in the case group and control group. Results 1)There were significant differences(P0.05)between the sepsis group and the control group for the IL-6and CRP.After 4hof the antibiotics usage,IL-6increased significantly to a peak;whereas CRP peaked at 24 hafter the antibiotics usage.2)In premature and full-term neonates group,the diagnosis sensitivity and specificity of IL-6were significantly higher than CRP after 4hof the antibiotics usage. Conclusions IL-6has a high sensitivity and specificity for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.IL-6monitoring at 4hafter infection is most sensitive,and CRP is most sensitive at 24 hafter infection.Abnormally high levels of IL-6increased early than CRP.