Ismail, Abdul Qader Tahir and Gandhi, Anjum (2015) Using CRP in neonatal practice. The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians, 28 (1). pp. 3-6. ISSN 1476-4954. This article is accessible to all HEFT staff and students via NICE journals and databases http://www.nice.org.uk/about/what-we-do/evidence-services/journals-and-databases by using their HEFT Athens login IDs
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
OBJECTIVE
C-reactive protein (CRP) is the most widely used infection marker in neonatal practice. Combined with difficulty in early recognition of neonatal sepsis, the number of infants with risk factors for infection, and postnatal maladaptation of non-infectious origin; CRP is often used as a decision making tool for antibiotic therapy. We wished to examine practice regarding neonatal infection and use of CRP.
METHODS
We designed an online multiple choice questionnaire, asking senior clinicians for their response to realistic postnatal ward scenarios.
RESULTS
We had 91 replies, showing a great degree of variation, with no pattern emerging for experience, region, or even individual neonatal units. This was true even for situations covered by the guidelines that have an evidence basis.
CONCLUSIONS
A recurring theme was duration of antibiotic therapy for an elevated CRP, and once levels are falling, when it is safe to stop treatment. Given a lack of good quality evidence, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines are purposefully non-specific. Further research is required, and if incorporated in future national guidelines, should help promote more widespread use and so reduce potential over- and under-treatment of this patient subset. However, this also requires a greater willingness on the part of pediatricians to ensure practice is evidence based.
Item Type: | Article |
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Additional Information: | This article is accessible to all HEFT staff and students via NICE journals and databases http://www.nice.org.uk/about/what-we-do/evidence-services/journals-and-databases by using their HEFT Athens login IDs |
Subjects: | WS Paediatrics. Child health |
Divisions: | Womens and Childrens > Paediatrics |
Related URLs: | |
Depositing User: | Mrs Caroline Tranter |
Date Deposited: | 31 May 2015 07:07 |
Last Modified: | 31 May 2015 07:07 |
URI: | http://www.repository.uhblibrary.co.uk/id/eprint/932 |
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