Beschreibung:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec id="j_labmed-2019-0008_s_999"><jats:title id="d1543668e14529">Background</jats:title><jats:p>The aim of this study was to validate a point-of-care C-reactive protein (CRP) test (QuikRead, wide-range [wr] CRP) against standard laboratory testing in neonates with suspected sepsis.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="j_labmed-2019-0008_s_998"><jats:title id="d1543668e14537">Methods</jats:title><jats:p>This was a single-centre prospective cohort study of neonates (n = 91). The main outcome measure was the paired evaluation of the wr-CRP point-of-care test and automated laboratory CRP tests in neonates with suspected sepsis.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="j_labmed-2019-0008_s_997"><jats:title id="d1543668e14545">Results</jats:title><jats:p>There were 126 measured CRP-sample pairs. The mean difference between the laboratory CRP and the wr-CRP point-of-care test values was 0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI]:‒1.0–0.65). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was 0.94. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98–1.00). At a QuikRead CRP cut-off of ≥6.2, the sensitivity and specificity were 77% and 100%, respectively.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="j_labmed-2019-0008_s_996"><jats:title id="d1543668e14553">Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p>Point-of-care wr-CRP testing can be used as a screening test in neonates with suspected sepsis. Rapid bed-side diagnostics and minimal blood volume requirements present an attractive alternative to common laboratory CRP testing.</jats:p></jats:sec>