Background
The aim of this study was to validate a point-of-care C-reactive protein (CRP) test (QuikRead, wide-range [wr] CRP) against standard laboratory testing in neonates with suspected sepsis.
Methods
This was a single-centre prospective cohort study of neonates (n = 91). The main outcome measure was the paired evaluation of the wr-CRP point-of-care test and automated laboratory CRP tests in neonates with suspected sepsis.
Results
There were 126 measured CRP-sample pairs. The mean difference between the laboratory CRP and the wr-CRP point-of-care test values was 0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI]:‒1.0–0.65). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was 0.94. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98–1.00). At a QuikRead CRP cut-off of ≥6.2, the sensitivity and specificity were 77% and 100%, respectively.
Conclusions
Point-of-care wr-CRP testing can be used as a screening test in neonates with suspected sepsis. Rapid bed-side diagnostics and minimal blood volume requirements present an attractive alternative to common laboratory CRP testing.
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