Procalcitonin for the diagnosis of sepsis in neonates: a diagnostic test accuracy review

Objectives: This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (diagnostic). The objectives are as follows:. To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin in culture proven early- or late-onset neonatal sepsis. Secondary objectives To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin in all sepsis (including both culture-proven and culture-negative early- or late-onset neonatal sepsis). To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin in all sepsis at the most common threshold ranges used (0.5 to 1 ng/mL and ≥ 2 ng/mL). We plan to investigate heterogeneity with respect to the following covariates if adequate data are available. Timing of sepsis onset: a) EOS (≤ 72 hours), b) LOS (> 72 hours). Maturity of infant: a) term (≥ 37 week gestation) b) preterm gestation (< 37 weeks gestation). Pathogen type: a) bacterial b) fungal. Nature of threshold determination: a) threshold identified a priori b) post-hoc ascertainment of threshold.