Background: Early recognition and diagnosis of neonatal sepsis is difficult because of the variable and
non-specific clinical presentation of this condition. It is extremely important to make an early diagnosis of
neonatal sepsis for the prompt institution of anti-microbial therapy, which improves outcomes. Aims: The aim
of this study was to determine the role of Procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in early diagnosis
and follow up of neonatal sepsis in intensive neonatal care unit in comparison to that of blood culture and
haematological parameters; total leukocytic count, absolute neutrophil count and platelet count. Material and
Methods: This study was conducted on neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at El Helal
Hospital, Sohag city, Egypt, over a 6 months period (from November 2011 to April 2012). Specimens of blood
(n = 61) were obtained from each neonate prior to commencement of antibiotics for sepsis work up including
CRP 1, PCT 1 and haematological parameters; total leukocytic count, absolute neutrophil count, platelet count.
Blood culture and Antibiotic sensitivity tests were carried out. Other blood samples were collected 5 days after
antibiotic treatment for measurement of PCT 2 and CRP 2. Serum CRP levels were measured using semiquantitative
latex agglutination test. Serum PCT levels were measured quantitatively by ELISA technique using
RayBio® Human Procalcitonin ELISA kit. Results: In total, 51 (83.61%) neonates were confirmed to have
sepsis based on positive blood culture results. Serum levels of PCT 1 were significantly higher in neonates with
EONS than those with LONS (P < 0.05). The difference between PCT 1 & PCT 2 and CRP 1 & CRP 2 was
statistically significant (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant statistical difference between the area
under the curve (AUC) values of PCT 1 & CRP 1 and PCT 2 & CRP 2 in all studied cases, EONS or LONS
cases (P = 0.720, P = 0.930, P = 0.087, P = 0.737, P = 0.760, P = 0.158,respectively). Conclusions: The
findings of the present study confirm that the serum levels of PCT is more reliable marker than the serum levels
of CRP in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and in the evaluation of the response of the disease to the
antibiotic therapy.