Table 3. Comparison of several factors that can influence procalcitonin level in the normal group (≤2 ng/mL) and the group (>2 ng/mL) with increased procalcitonin level on the third day after birth.
| Variable | Normal group (n=205) | Increased group (n=81) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gestational age (wk) | 35.4±2.9 | 34.4±3.1 | 0.009 |
| Birth weight (g) | 2,452.2±628.6 | 2,356.7±656.2 | NS |
| Male sex | 105 (51.2) | 52 (64.2) | 0.047 |
| Preterm (GA<37 wk) | 145 (70.7) | 66 (81.5) | NS |
| LBW (BW<2,500 g) | 120 (58.5) | 45 (55.6) | NS |
| VLBW (BW<1,500 g) | 11 (5.4) | 9 (11.1) | NS |
| Cesarean section | 106 (59.2) | 49 (68.1) | NS |
| Low AS at 1 min (<7) | 58 (28.3) | 22 (27.5) | NS |
| Very low AS at 1 min (<3) | 12 (5.9) | 5 (6.2) | NS |
| Low AS at 5 min (<7) | 13 (6.3) | 10 (12.5) | NS |
| Very low AS at 5 min (<3) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (1.2) | NS |
| PROM | 71 (34.6) | 23 (28.4) | NS |
| Chorioamnionitis | 13 (6.4) | 7 (8.6) | NS |
| Maternal DM | 23 (11.2) | 9 (11.1) | NS |
| Prenatal antibiotics | 131 (64.5) | 56 (70) | NS |
| Surfactant administration | 11 (5.4) | 12 (14.8) | 0.008 |
| Meconium stained | 9 (4.4) | 0 (0) | NS |
| Ventilator application | 55 (26.8) | 49 (60.5) | <0.001 |
| Invasive vent application | 12 (5.9) | 9 (11.1) | NS |
| Noninvasive vent application | 50 (24.4) | 43 (53.1) | <0.001 |
| Patent ductus arteriosus | 43 (21) | 24 (29.6) | NS |
| Postnatal antibiotics | 134 (65.4) | 80 (98.8) | <0.001 |
| C-reactive protein | 0.59 (0.340–1.265) | 0.86 (0.500–1.755) | 0.003 |
| White blood cell | 11,200 (9,300–13,650) | 11,900 (9,600–14,120) | NS |
Values are presented as mean±standard deviation, number (%), median (25th–75th interquartile).
GA, gastrointestinal age; 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; NS, not significant (P≥0.05).