Procalcitonin as a Biomarker for Predicting Clinical Utility in Cases of Neonatal Sepsis: Outcomes from a Single-Centric Procalcitonin Monitoring Study

Background: Neonatal sepsis remains one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality among newborns globally. The escalating threat of antibiotic resistance prompted the need for more reliable diagnostic and prognostic tools. Procalcitonin (PCT) was reported to be superior to C-reactive protein (CRP), being more specific for sepsis. Methodology: Fifty septicaemic neonates were selected for the study. Serum procalcitonin levels were measured upon hospital admission, and parameters including antibiotic requirement, hospital stay, and clinical outcomes were recorded. The mean PCT level recorded was 1.3135 ng/mL, and was found to be significantly higher in neonates with poor outcomes compared to those with good outcomes (p-value < 0.001). A positive correlation was noted between elevated PCT levels and increased length of hospital stay. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests also verified statistically significant differences in outcomes and hospital stay based on PCT values (p-value < 0.0005). Conclusion: Serum procalcitonin at admission, therefore, serves as a valuable predictor of severity in neonatal sepsis. Raised PCT levels are associated with prolonged hospitalisation and poorer outcomes, enforcing antimicrobial stewardship.