Procalcitonin for the diagnosis of sepsis in neonates: a diagnostic test accuracy review

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (diagnostic). The objectives are as follows:

      To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin in culture proven early- or late-onset neonatal sepsis.

    Secondary objectives

        To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin in all sepsis (including both culture-proven and culture-negative early- or late-onset neonatal sepsis).

          To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin in all sepsis at the most common threshold ranges used (0.5 to 1 ng/mL and ≥ 2 ng/mL).

        We plan to investigate heterogeneity with respect to the following covariates if adequate data are available.

            Timing of sepsis onset: a) EOS (≤ 72 hours), b) LOS (> 72 hours).

              Maturity of infant: a) term (≥ 37 week gestation) b) preterm gestation (< 37 weeks gestation).

                Pathogen type: a) bacterial b) fungal.

                  Nature of threshold determination: a) threshold identified a priori b) post-hoc ascertainment of threshold.

This is a protocol.