The Sensitivity and Specificity of Different Laboratory Parameters in Septicemia in Paediatric Age Group Patients: An Observational Study Conducted in a Rural Medical College Hospital

Introduction: Sepsis, one of the leading causes of severe illness worldwide, is a potentially fatal organ failure brought on by a dysregulated host response to infection. The aim of present study is to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), Band cell count and toxic granules in septicemia in pediatric age group. Material and Methods: The present observational study, was conducted in a government rural medical college hospital catering mostly to the rural population under its jurisdiction for a period of 6 months among 100 patients selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Blood samples were collected from all patients and evaluated for CRP, PCT, Band cell count and Toxic granule. Results were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: Prevalence of septicaemia was found to be 65%. The mean value of CRP was 6.87±2.1 mg/dL, mean Procalcitonin was 3.67±0.89 ng/ml. the number of patients with band cell count <10% was 39 (60%) and ≥10% was 26 (40%). Maximum patients 23 (35.3%) had +2 toxic granules. CRP with AUC 0.865 had a sensitivity and specificity of 83.9%, 75.6%. PCT with AUC 0.694 had sensitivity and specificity of 80.21%, 73.4%. Band cell count had AUC 0.346 with sensitivity and specificity of 78.39%, 70.31%. Toxic granules had AUC 0.321 with sensitivity and specificity of 75.69% and 69.87%. There were statistically significant positive correlations between sepsis and biomarker like CRP, PCT, Band cell count and toxic granules (p<0.001). Conclusion: Abnormal CRP combined with PCT, toxic granules and band cell count may be a straight forward and accurate method for quickly identifying neonatal sepsis.