Serum fibronectin, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, and transferrin concentrations were measured in 44 term neonates with culture proven sepsis and a control group of 37 normal neonates of similar age, sex and weight. The white blood cell count, total neutrophil count, and the ratio of band to neutrophils were also determined. While the serum fibronectin and haptoglobin concentrations were significantly different (P

Serum fibronectin, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, and transferrin concentrations were measured in 44 term neonates with culture proven sepsis and a control group of 37 normal neonates of similar age, sex and weight. The white blood cell count, total neutrophil count, and the ratio of band to neutrophils were also determined. While the serum fibronectin and haptoglobin concentrations were significantly different (P<0.05), the serum ceruloplasmin and transferrin levels of the two groups were similar. The total neutrophil count and the band to neutrophil ratio in peripheral differential leukocyte counts were significantly higher in the sepsis group than in the control group (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). The combination of a hematological marker and fibronectin or haptoglobin seems to be more particularly predictive of sepsis than either of the parameters alone. The combination of hematological and acute phase protein tests may provide a more rapid diagnosis of neonatal sepsis than conventional microbiological methods.