Potential Health and Cost Impacts of a Point-of-Care Test for Neonatal Sepsis and Possible Serious Bacterial Infections in Infants: A Modeling Analysis in Two Settings.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sepsis contributes to nearly 50% of neonatal deaths in resource-limited settings. Accurate, timely diagnosis can improve outcomes, reduce inappropriate antibiotic use, and save healthcare costs. We aimed to determine the minimum technical requirements and cost of a point-of-care test (POCT) for neonatal sepsis to be clinically effective in hospitals and community settings in low-resource settings.

Methods

We modeled the diagnosis and treatment of hospitalized neonates and infants at primary care facilities with suspected sepsis. Health outcomes (mortality, hospital stays, and healthcare-associated infections [HAIs]) were compared under empiric treatment with varied blood culture scenarios to a POCT. Test performance, bacterial infection prevalence, and discharge c

SUBMITTER: Chevalier JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12596657 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature