Procalcitonin Levels Compared With CRP and ESR Levels in Septicemic Children Aged 3 Months to 13 Years in the Pediatric and PICU Wards of Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital, Zanjan

Abstract

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) levels are increased in sepsis. In most previously conducted research, PCT levels were found to increase during septic shock. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare PCT levels with CRP and ESR levels in children with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, and septic shock. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2011 and December 2012 on 84 children between 3 months and 13 years old admitted in pediatric and PICU wards. The required venous samplings were taken during their hospitalization prior to antibiotic therapy. Urine and CSF fluid cultures were analyzed in specific cases. Patients treated with intravenous antibiotics during the week prior to admission were not included in the study. Results: Due to incomplete information, a total of 81 children were examined; of them, 31 were suffering from SIRS (36.9%), 27 had sepsis (32.1%), 10 had undergone septic shock (11.9%), and 13 had positive cultures (15.5%). PCT levels were higher than 0.5 ng/mL in 57.1% of the patients, CRP levels were higher than 10 mg/L in 71.4% of the patients, and ESR levels were higher than 20 mm/h in 69% of the patients. In our study, a moderate correlation was found between PCT and CRP levels. However, there was a poor correlation between PCT and ESR levels. Conclusions: PCT levels are a faster and more reliable marker of inflammation than ESR or CRP levels. However, since PCT tests are expensive, CRP levels are preferable to study in differentiating the three stages of infection.

The Role of Inflammatory Indices in Predicting Infections and Guiding Treatment in Neutropenic Patients With Solid Tumors

“…However, it is crucial to highlight that PCT demonstrates higher specificity in detecting infections when compared to serum CRP and ESR. 15 On the other hand, CRP levels increased in response to various conditions, including systemic inflammations, underlying disorders, and malignant diseases. 16 In addition, our findings indicated that all 22 patients had abnormal WBC counts, which were less than 3,000 cells/µL.…”

“…Parameters such as the duration of neutropenia and fever correction, length of hospital stay, the need for mechanical ventilation, and the occurrence of death can all be influenced by factors such as the individual patient's condition and underlying disorders, as well as the timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment they receive. 7,15,19 Each patient's unique circumstances and the management they receive play a crucial role in determining the outcomes observed in different studies. It highlights the complexity of these conditions and the importance of personalized care and treatment for each patient.…”