Correlation between neopterin levels in premature infants with sepsis and the signs and symptoms of neonatal sepsis using the Töllner sepsis score

Abstract

Neonatal sepsis in premature infants is difficult to diagnose, and available markers are still varied. Neopterin is a derivative of pyrazino-pyrimidine produced by macrophages when stimulated by interferon γ. This study aimed to measure and compare the concentration of serum neopterin between groups of neonates with and without sepsis, and its correlation with Töllner's sepsis score (TSS). This analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design included 46 premature infants with (n=23) and without neonatal sepsis (n=23). Data analysis using the Mann-Whitney U-test was performed to compare the levels of neopterin in premature infants with and without neonatal sepsis, and the Spearman rank correlation test to determine the correlation between neopterin levels and TSS. Neopterin levels in the sepsis group were higher than in the non-sepsis group (116 vs. 41.1 nmol/L; p<0.001). This study also showed a positive correlation between neopterin levels in premature infants with neonatal sepsis and TSS (r=0.776, p<0.001). Neopterin levels were higher in premature infants with neonatal sepsis than in those without it and positively correlated with TSS.