Abstract: Objective To explore the diagnostic value of WBC, N%, CRP, PCT, together with IL-6, IL-27, IL-10, and TNF-α for early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Methods Flow cytometry was used to detect WBC and N%. The CRP and PCT were detected with both immune turbidity and the immunochromatography in the sera of patients. The levels of IL-6, IL-27, IL-10 and TNF-α were measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results The levels of WBC, N%, CRP and PCT on days 1 and 3 were higher than those on day 7 (P<0.05). Concentration of CRP on day 3 and PCT on day 1 was elevated compared to the other groups. The levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α on days 1 and 3 were obviously higher than those on day 7 (P<0.05) whereas IL-6 and IL-27 were found to be increased on day 3 in the neonatal patients with sepsis (P>0.05). Conclusion The levels of cytokines IL-6, IL-27, IL-10 and TNF-αvaried with the courses of neonatal sepsis. Combined detection of WBC, N%, PCT as well as the cytokines may be helpful for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

Key words: WBC, CRP, PCT, Cytokine, Neonatal sepsis, Early diagnosis