CD14 AS ONE OF THE RISK FACTORS FOR NEONATAL SEPSIS

Abstract

Neonatal sepsis is considered one of the most significant causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis of neonatal sepsis can be confirmed by blood culture but still there are cases which are clinically suggestive of sepsis with negative blood culture, so we should try to diagnose neonatal sepsis very early and find out early diagnostic markers.

CD14 functions as a receptor for lipopolysaccharide complexed with it and starts activation of inflammatory process. The aim of this study is to find out if CD 14 level can be used as an indicator in early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

This study comprised 32 neonates with neonatal sepsis. They were 18 males and 14 females. Their mean ages was 8.56±5.75 days and their mean gestational ages was 36.5± 3.12 weeks, while their mean weights was 2.46±0.75kg. Of all these neonates, 14 were prematures, 18 were full terms. Also 15 normal neonates were studied as a control group, they were 10 males and 5 females. Their mean ages was 5.6±3.35 days and their mean gestational ages was 37.7±1.98 weeks, while their mean weights was 2.99±0.43kg, of all these control group 5 were pretenns and 10 were full terms.