Serum procalcitonin in children with suspected sepsis: a comparison with C-reactive protein and neutrophil count.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the specific characteristics of serum procalcitonin in children with severe infection, to identify relevant factors influencing procalcitonin increase, to assess its prognostic value, and to compare it with C-reactive protein and neutrophil count


METHODS
A prospective observational study and 48 hrs of follow-up of a cohort of cases.


METHODS
A pediatric intensive care unit within a children's university hospital in collaboration with a laboratory mainly involved in research in pediatric clinical immunology.


METHODS
A total of 80 children (median age, 3.1 yrs; range, 1 month to 16 yrs) admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit by suspicion of sepsis.


METHODS
All patients were treated according to a protocol using antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, inotropic drugs, and mechanical ventilation when they presented with shock or respiratory failure.


RESULTS
Serum procalcitonin and C-reactive protein were measured at admission in all patients and, when possible, repeated 6,12, 24, and 48 hrs later. In most cases, serum procalcitonin was already very high at onset (range, 1.0-722 ng/mL), and it did not increase significantly afterward. Contrary to C-reactive protein, serum procalcitonin did not vary according to the age of patients. The increase of procalcitonin was higher in patients with shock or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, having a high severity score (Pediatric Risk of Mortality) or in patients who later died.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum procalcitonin levels show a rapid increase in children with sepsis, even in infants < 12 month old, and they have a better prognostic value than C-reactive protein or neutrophil count.
Casado-Flores
Juan
J
Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesuś, Madrid, Spain.
Blanco-Quirós
Alfredo
A
Asensio
Julia
J
Arranz
Eduardo
E
Garrote
Jose A
JA
Nieto
Monserrat
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; C000606589:CALCA protein, human; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002116:Calcitonin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide