Postnatal increase of procalcitonin in premature newborns is enhanced by chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis

• Published in: European journal of clinical investigation 2001-11, Vol.31 (11), p.978-983
• Main Authors: Janota, J., Stranák, Z., Bělohlávková, S., Mudra, K., Šimák, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; Calcitonin - blood; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; Chorioamnionitis; Chorioamnionitis - blood; Female; Fetal Blood - chemistry; General aspects; Human infectious diseases. Experimental studies and models; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature - blood; Infant, Premature, Diseases - blood; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Pregnancy; procalcitonin; Protein Precursors - blood; sepsis; Sepsis - blood; very low birthweight infant
• ISSN: 0014-2972; 1365-2362
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2362.2001.00912.x

To determine the influence of chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis on procalcitonin (PCT) levels in very‐low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) infants within the first week of life. PCT serum levels were measured in cord blood 1 h after delivery and on day 3 and day 7 of life. Chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis within the first week were monitored. Chorioamnionitis was present in eight of 37 patients (21·6%). PCT on day 3 was increased in both the ‘No chorioamnionitis’ (2·54 ng mL−1, SEM 0·51) and ‘Chorioamnionitis’ (6·96 ng mL−1, SEM 2·93) groups of VLBW infants compared with the 1st hour values (0·45 and 0·58 ng mL−1 SEM 0·07 and 0·11, respectively, P < 0·001) of the same patients. The postnatal gain was higher in the ‘Chorioamnionitis’ group (P < 0·01). Neonatal sepsis was diagnosed (after exclusion) in 12 of 32 patients (37·5%). Mean values of maximum PCT in patients with and without sepsis were 8·41 ng mL−1 (SEM 1·87) and 3·02 ng mL−1 (SEM 1·38), respectively (P