Neonatal sepsis is one of the main causes of newborn deaths, being reported as an important public health problem in Brazil due to its high prevalence. Early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis is still a challenge. The objective of this study was to correlate hematological and inflammatory marker data with positive conventional PCR using universal primer for bacterial genomic DNA in neonates with suspected late, early or hospital sepsis. In 148 blood samples from 47 neonates hospitalized for suspected neonatal sepsis, blood cultures were performed and I / T ratio, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and universal primer PCR were determined. Most newborns were female (59.6%, n = 28), premature (GI <37 weeks) with very low birth weight <1.500 g (53.2%, n = 25), nutritional status classified as small for gestational age (91.5%, n = 43). Positive blood culture and universal primed PCR results were obtained in 4.7% (n = 7) and 60.8% (n = 90) of suspected sepsis episodes, respectively. 60% (n = 54) of the episodes showed changes in IL 6, procalcitonin was 100% (n = 90), C-reactive protein was 47.8% (n = 43) and I / T ratio was 98. 9% (n = 89), with an association (p = 0.009) between positive blood culture with IL-6 (> 7μg mL-1) and between the negative results of conventional PCR (p = 0.004) and PCR (<5 mg L -1). Universal-primed PCR showed higher sensitivity in bacterial DNA detection compared to blood culture. IL-6 and PCT are potential biomarkers of neonatal infection.

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