In the ProSPoNS trial, we opted for a strict definition of the primary outcome “sepsis” defined as one or more clinical signs suggestive of sepsis with a microbial isolate on blood culture or a neonate with sterile blood culture with at least 2 sepsis screen markers being abnormal (CRP > 12 mg/L, absolute neutrophil count < 1500/mm3, TLC < 5000/mm3, ESR > 15 mm, immature to total neutrophil ratio > 0.2). Here, CRP is linked to Sepsis.