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Central-peripheral temperature gradient: an early diagnostic sign of late-onset neonatal sepsis in very low birth weight infants.
- Source :
-
Journal of Perinatal Medicine . Sep2012, Vol. 40 Issue 5, p571-576. 6p. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Aims: We assessed central-peripheral temperature gradient alteration for the diagnosis of late-onset neonatal sepsis and compared earliness detection of this sign with altered blood cell count and C-reactive protein. Method: Thirty-one preterm babies (<1500 g or <32 weeks) participated in an observational prospective study. Axillary (central) and sole (peripheral) temperatures were continuously monitored with a thermal probe (ThermoTracer; Dräger Medical AGF & Co. KgaA, Lübeck, Germany) adjusting incubator air temperature for a thermal gradient <1.5°C. Central-peripheral temperature alteration was defined as a thermal gradient >2°C that could not be corrected with protocolized air temperature modifications. Proven (positive blood culture) sepsis and probable late-onset sepsis were recorded. Results: Late-onset sepsis was diagnosed in 11 neonates (proven, 9; probable, 2). Thermal gradient alteration was present in 12 cases, in association with the onset of sepsis in 10 and concomitantly with a ductus arteriosus and stage 1 necrotizing enterocolitis in 2. Thermal gradient alteration had a sensitivity of 90.9% [95% confidence interval (CI), 62.3-98.4] and specificity of 90% (95% CI, 69.9-97.2%), and in 80% of cases, it occurred before abnormal laboratory findings. Conclusions: Central-peripheral temperature gradient monitoring is a feasible, non-invasive, and simple tool easily applicable in daily practice. An increase of >2°C showed a high-sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of late-onset sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03005577
- Volume :
- 40
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Perinatal Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 83468785
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1515/jpm-2011-0269