Table 1. Comparison of factors that can influence procalcitonin level in the normal group (≤0.5 ng/mL) and the group (>0.5 ng/mL) with increased procalcitonin levelon the first day after birth.
| Variable | Normal group (n=269) | Increased group (n=23) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gestational age (wk) | 35.2±2.8 | 35.0±5.1 | NS |
| Birth weight (g) | 2,424±614 | 2,483±942 | NS |
| Male sex | 146 (54.3) | 16 (69.6) | NS |
| Preterm (<37 wk) | 201 (74.7) | 11 (47.8) | 0.006 |
| LBW | 158 (58.7) | 9 (39.1) | NS |
| VLBW | 17 (6.3) | 4 (17.4) | 0.049 |
| Cesarean section | 170 (63.2) | 13 (56.5) | NS |
| Low AS at 1 min (<7) | 76 (28.4) | 6 (26.1) | NS |
| Very low AS at 1 min (<4) | 17 (6.3) | 1 (4.3) | NS |
| Low AS at 5 min (<7) | 22 (8.2) | 2 (8.7) | NS |
| Very low AS at 5 min (<4) | 0 (0) | 1 (4.3) | 0.001 |
| PROM | 89 (33.1) | 6 (26.1) | NS |
| Chorioamnionitis | 18 (6.7) | 2 (9.1) | NS |
| Maternal DM | 32 (11.9) | 0 (0) | NS |
| Prenatal antibiotics | 181 (67.5) | 7 (33.3) | 0.002 |
| Surfactant administration | 19 (7.1) | 5 (21.7) | 0.014 |
| Meconium stained | 8 (3.0) | 1 (4.3) | NS |
| Ventilator application | 95 (35.3) | 10 (43.5) | NS |
| C-reactive protein (mg/L) | 0.11 (0.08–0.15) | 0.70 (0.26–1.49) | <0.001 |
| White blood cell (/µL) | 10,000 (7,860–12,840) | 19,800 (14,100–22,900) | <0.001 |
Values are presented as mean±standard deviation, number (%), median (25th–75th interquartile).
LBW, low birth weight defined as birth weight <2,500 g; VLBW, very low birth weight defined as birth weight <1,500 g; AS, Apgar score; PROM, premature rupture of membrane; DM, diabetes mellitus; CRP, C-reactive protein; WBC, white blood cell; NS, not significant (P≥0.05)