Serum procalcitonin in children with suspected sepsis: a comparison with C-reactive protein and neutrophil count

Abstract

Objectives: 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

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

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

Patients: 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.

Interventions: 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.

Measurements and main 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.