Abstract

Role of Complement System, C-Reactive Protein and White Blood Cell Counts in the Diiagnosis of Neonatal Septicemia in Gaza city Hospitals

Author(s): Mansour Sobhi El Yazji, Mona Ishak Fahid, Azhar Abed El Karim Hussein, Abed El Hakeem and Noman El Jadba

Objective: to evaluate the serum levels of complement, CRP and WBCs count for diagnosis of neonatal septicemia in Neonatal Intensive care units (NICU) in Gaza City Hospitals.Methodology: This prospective descriptive study was carried out in Al-Nasser and Al-Shifa hospitals in Gaza City, between January 2004 to January 2005. Blood Samples were collected at admission and during infection. Results: five hundred seventy nine enrolled babies, 193 (33%)were classified as early-onset septicemia, 135 (23%) as late-onset septicemia and 251 (44%) as a nosocomial septicemia. WBCs count were lowat 7%of cases, and high at 23%of cases at admission while leucocytosis were recorded in 30% of cases at follow up. Values of Creactive protein were higher is septicemic neonates with a positive blood culture exhibiting 72%. The concentrations of C3 & C4 levels were low in (99%) of cases at admission, while after infections took place, (33%) had a normal level, 67% had increased levels of C3, whereas C4 shows lowlevels (64%) at admission and increased in (79%) of cases after proven infection. Conclusion: our study suggests that no individual test can diagnose infected neonates, and that although the combination of WBCs count, Creactive protein values and C3 & C4 levels exhibits a high specificity.