Value of detection of serum procalcitonin in guidance of antibiotic therapy of neonatal ventilator associated pneumonia

Objective To assess the value of detection ofserum procalcitonin(PCT) in guidance of use of antibiotics forthe treatment of neonatal ventilator associated pneumonia(VAP). Methods The 56 neonatal ventilator associated pneumoniacases were randomly divided into PCT group(n=30) and the control group(n=26), The use of antibiotics in cases in PCT groupwas determined according to the serum PCT levels, while the use of antibiotics in cases of control group was determinedaccording to the parameters of patients' blood CRP, X-ray chest radiograph, sputum culture and other laboratory examinationThe time of antibiotics use, rate, duration of hospitalization and death rate,etc. in the two groups were analyzed. Results Thetime of antibiotics use was shorter in the control group than in of the PCT group, showing significant difference[(9.5±1.9) d vs(11.8±2.1)d, t =4.3, P =0.0001]. There was no statistically significant difference in antibiotics usage, duration of hospitalizationand death rate between the PCT group and the control group(P 0.05). Conclusion The PCT can be used for effectiveguidance of treatment of neonatal ventilator associated pneumonia with antibiotics and leading to shortening time of antibioticsuse and reducing exposure time.