Biomarkers for diagnosis of neonatal infections: A systematic analysis of their potential as a point-of-care diagnostics

Abstract

Neonatal infections annually claim lives of 1.4 million neonates worldwide. Until now, there is no ideal diagnostic test for detecting sepsis and thus management of possible sepsis cases often depends on clinical algorithm leading to empirical treatment. This often results in unnecessary antibiotic use, which may lead to emergence of antibiotic resistance. Biomarkers have shown great promise in diagnosis of sepsis and guiding appropriate treatment of neonates. In this study, we conducted a literature review of existing biomarkers to analyze their status for use as a point-of-care diagnostic in developing countries.

Keywords

• neonate deaths
• sepsis
• biomarkers
• diagnosis
• literature review