SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY OF MICRO ESR VERSUS DEFINITIVE BLOOD MARKERS FOR NEONATAL SEPSIS AS SCREENING TEST IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, NAVI MUMBAI.

Background: Neonatal sepsis significantly contributes to neonatal mortality and morbidity in developing countries. The delay in diagnosis due to the time-consuming gold standard blood culture necessitates rapid, accessible, and cost-effective diagnostic markers. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of Micro-ESR for early neonatal sepsis diagnosis and compare its effectiveness with other standard markers. Methodology: Conducted at D.Y. Patil Hospital's Department of Pediatrics in Navi Mumbai, this prospective observational study included 200 neonates suspected of sepsis. Blood samples were analyzed for CBC, CRP, Micro-ESR, and bacterial culture before antibiotic initiation. Micro-ESR's diagnostic performance was assessed against other markers based on confirmed sepsis cases via blood culture. Results: Among 200 neonates, 16 had a positive blood culture. Micro-ESR showed a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 28.80%. In comparison, Total Leucocyte Count (TLC) and Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) demonstrated higher specificity (91.25% and 70% respectively) but lower sensitivity. Platelet count and CRP indicated high specificity (94.56%) and sensitivity (100%) respectively, albeit with low predictive values. Conclusions: While CRP exhibited the highest sensitivity, TLC and platelet count showed superior specificity. Despite its lower specificity, Micro-ESR's high sensitivity suggests its utility as a supportive early diagnostic marker alongside CBC, CRP, and ANC. Blood culture remains the definitive diagnostic standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]