Introduction/Objective Nonspecific clinical signs of neonatal infection dictate routinely determination of
C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin levels in order to confirm the diagnosis. As hepcidin is an acute
phase reactant, the aim of our study was to analyze its significance in diagnosis of neonatal infections.
Methods The prospective study included 71 term neonates, 37 with signs of infection in the absence of
other pathological conditions and 34 healthy neonates. After standard bacteriological examination, at
the time of diagnosis and after six days of antibiotic therapy, complete blood count, serum CRP, procalcitonin,
and hepcidin were determined.
Results There was no difference in serum hepcidin levels between the control (55.17 ± 21.22 ng/ml) and
the infection group (59.72 ± 59.7 ng/ml) on the first day. Hepcidin values in neonates with infection up
to 72 hours were significantly lower (30.2 ng/ml, IQ: 25.9–39.9 ng/ml) than in older neonates (82.2 ng/ml,
IQ: 39.7–128.1 ng/ml). In neonates up to 72 hours, after six days of antibiotics, the hepcidin values show a significant
increase (36.68 ng/ml, IQ; 31.23–50.3 ng/ml). High hepcidin values (128.05 ng/ml, IQ: 60.95–201 ng/ml)
were recorded in neonates with CRP over 100 mg/l.
Conclusion Our results shows that the determination of serum hepcidin as a marker of neonatal infection
is not relevant in neonates up to 72 hours of life. After six days of antibiotic therapy, the neonates of this
group reacted with an increase in hepcidin, while the parallel determined values of CRP and procalcitonin
showed a significant decrease.
