Abolfazl Khoshdel; Shahla Taheri; Reza Khadivi; Ebrahim Saedi; Kurosh Ashrafi; Reza Imani; Faranak Jazaeri
Volume 7, Issue 2 , April 2012, , Pages 86-91
Abstract
Background and Objective: In Iran, prenatal Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening of pregnant women and neonatal eye prophylaxis are not routine practice. The present research aimed to identify bacterial agents of neonatal conjunctivitis.
Materials & Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on ...
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Background and Objective: In Iran, prenatal Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening of pregnant women and neonatal eye prophylaxis are not routine practice. The present research aimed to identify bacterial agents of neonatal conjunctivitis.
Materials & Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on all babies born over a period from April 2007 to April 2008 in Hajar Hospital of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. Babies presenting clinical signs of erythema and edema of eyelid and purulent eye discharge were considered as clinical conjunctivitis. Specimens were obtained in all cases with conjunctivitis and were performed gram staining and cultures in specific media. A simple ELISA has been performed for measurement the immunoglobin M antibody to C. trachomatis and positive result rechecked by indirect immunoflurescent test.
Results: During the period of one year, 223 neonates have revealed bacterial conjunctivitis. The incidence rate of neonatal conjunctivitis was 2.8%. Chlamydia conjunctivitis was identified in 13.6% of cases and gonococcal conjunctivitis was identified in 5.5% of cases.
Discussion: The high incidence rate of Chlamydia and gonococcal conjunctivitis, have revealed that the eye prophylaxis from ophthalmia neonatorum is needed promptly.
Abolfazl Khoshdel; Mahdi Mahmoudzadeh; Soleiman Kheiri; Reza Imani; Ghorbanali Shahabi; Ebrahim Saedi; Elham Taheri
Volume 3, Issue 4 , September 2008, , Pages 203-207
Abstract
Background and Objective: According to the fact that neonatal infection is a challenging diagnosis field, several studies have tried to test sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests. This study was conducted to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of procalcitonin (PCT) as a single ...
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Background and Objective: According to the fact that neonatal infection is a challenging diagnosis field, several studies have tried to test sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests. This study was conducted to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of procalcitonin (PCT) as a single early marker of neonatal sepsis. Materials and Methods: In this study, 150 neonates admitted to NICU and neonatal ward in Shahrekord Hajar hospital were enrolled. A full workup including blood cultureand other tests and PCT was conductede. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for PCT was determined. Results: It was found out that 8 patients had definite infection, 15 patients had possible infection, and 127 patients had no infection. Although PCT was not able to significantly differentiate between those with definite and possible infections (p>0.05), but there was a significant difference for frequency of abnormal PCT between non-infectious patients and other patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of PCT was 87.5%, 87.4%, 30.4%, 99.1%, and 87.41% respectively. Conclusion: Beside the limitation of the sample size, the satisfactory diagnostic characteristics of PCT highlight it as a good measure for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Further studies are essential to be carried out.
