TY - JOUR
AU1 - Bhat, Altaf
AU2 - Alsadhan, Nehal
AU3 - Alsadhan, Norah
AU4 - Alnowaiser, Dimah
AU5 - Gattoo, Imran
AU6 - Hussain, Mohammed
AU7 - Alotbi, Rafa
AU8 - Alruwaili, Sattam
AU9 - AlGoraini, Yara
AB - BackgroundSepsis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children, requiring early recognition for timely intervention. Traditional biomarkers like C-reactive protein (CRP) are widely used but have limitations in specificity and early detection. Procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a promising alternative for differentiating bacterial infections from viral illnesses. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic performance of PCT and CRP in identifying sepsis among febrile pediatric patients presenting to the emergency department (ED).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, observational study at a tertiary hospital from January 2022 to January 2024. A total of 208 children aged 1 month to 14 years with fever (≥ 38 °C) were included. Patients were categorized into sepsis (n = 84) and non-sepsis (n = 124) groups based on clinical assessment and blood culture results. Biomarker levels, patient demographics, clinical outcomes, and disposition were analyzed.ResultsElevated PCT and CRP levels were significantly associated with sepsis. PCT demonstrated earlier elevation compared to CRP, correlating with higher rates of PICU admission (34.7% vs. 11.1%, p < 0.001). Blood culture positivity was a strong predictor of severe sepsis (OR: 9.369, p < 0.0003). Logistic regression identified high-grade fever, chronic disease, and viral co-infections as additional risk factors.ConclusionPCT is a superior early biomarker for detecting invasive bacterial infections compared to CRP. Incorporating PCT in sepsis protocols can improve early diagnosis, guiding prompt and appropriate management in pediatric ED settings.
TI - Procalcitonin and C-reactive protein as early diagnostic markers of sepsis or septic shock in children who presented with fever to the pediatric emergency department at a tertiary hospital, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
JF - International Journal of Emergency Medicine
DO - 10.1186/s12245-025-00888-2
DA - 2025-04-29
UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/springer-journals/procalcitonin-and-c-reactive-protein-as-early-diagnostic-markers-of-0HE7YHx1q7
VL - 18
IS - 1
DP - DeepDyve
ER -