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Serum Procalcitonin Concentration in the Evaluation of Febrile Infants 2 to 60 Days of Age
Pediatric Emergency Care, 05/08/2012
Woelker JU et al. – Procalcitonin concentration is a serological marker for identification of or exclusion of serious bacterial infections (SBIs) in infants aged 2 to 60days. The predictive value of procalcitonin (PCT) in combination with urinary white blood cell count may be clinically useful. A validation study is indicated.
Methods- Infants 2 to 60days of age with rectal temperature 38°C were enrolled between May 2004 and March 2007.
- Blood was obtained from each, and PCT was assessed using BRAHMS PCT LIA method.
- Information for identification of low-risk infants using RC was obtained.
- Negative predictive value, sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio of PCT were compared with the RC.
- In univariate analysis, the components of RC and PCT were considered.
- Variables holding a significant association with the absence of SBI were included in a backward stepwise logistic regression model with SBI as the dependent variable, creating new low risk criteria.
- One hundred fifty-five patients were enrolled.
- Thirteen (8.4%) had an SBI.
- Procalcitonin concentration at a cutoff value of 0.26ng/mL is similar in sensitivity (92%) and better in specificity (64%) than RC.
- A combination of urine white blood cell and PCT was the best model in the regression analysis.