Luisa Agnello1, Chiara Bellia1, Maria Di Gangi2, Bruna Lo Sasso1, Luca Calvaruso1, Giulia Bivona1, Concetta Scazzone1, Piera Dones2, Marcello Ciaccio3. 1. Sezione Biochimica Clinica e Medicina Molecolare, Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli studi di Palermo, Italy. 2. UOC Malattie Infettive Pediatriche, Ospedale dei Bambini G. Di Cristina, ARNAS, Palermo, Italy. 3. Sezione Biochimica Clinica e Medicina Molecolare, Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli studi di Palermo, Italy; UOC Medicina di Laboratorio-CoreLab, AOUP Policlinico P. Giaccone, Palermo, Italy. Electronic address: marcello.ciaccio@unipa.it.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Although the importance of serum Procalcitonin (PCT) levels at diagnosis is well established in adult Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), its use remains controversial in pediatric CAP. The aim of our study is to investigate the role of PCT and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in the assessment of pediatric CAP severity defined by the extent of consolidation on chest X-rays and the presence of pleural effusion. In this particular setting, no clinical severity score is available at present and chest X-ray, although important for diagnosis confirmation, is not recommended as routine test. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study involved 119 children admitted to the Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease for radiographically documented CAP aged 1 year to 14 years, without chronic diseases. Baseline PCT, CRP and routine laboratory tests were performed on admission. RESULTS: The median PCT (μg/L) and CRP (mg/L) were 0.11 (0.05–0.58) and 21.3 (4.2–48.1), respectively. PCT showed a good correlation with CRP, neutrophils and WBC (r = 0.538, P < 0.001; r = 0.377, P < 0.001; r = 0.285, P0.002, respectively). CRP, but not PCT, was associated with lobar consolidation (P = 0.007) and pleural effusion (P = 0.002). Logistic regression analysis revealed that only CRP was a predictor of lobar consolidation (OR: 1.078; 95% CI: 1.017–1.143; P = 0.011) and pleural effusion (OR: 1.076; 95% CI: 1.005–1.153; P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that PCT is correlated to the main inflammatory markers in children with CAP. CRP, unlike PCT, is able to predict the extent of chest X-ray infiltration and ultimately the severity of the disease confirming its usefulness in the management of pneumonia
OBJECTIVES: Although the importance of serum Procalcitonin (PCT) levels at diagnosis is well established in adult Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), its use remains controversial in pediatric CAP. The aim of our study is to investigate the role of PCT and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in the assessment of pediatric CAP severity defined by the extent of consolidation on chest X-rays and the presence of pleural effusion. In this particular setting, no clinical severity score is available at present and chest X-ray, although important for diagnosis confirmation, is not recommended as routine test. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study involved 119 children admitted to the Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease for radiographically documented CAP aged 1 year to 14 years, without chronic diseases. Baseline PCT, CRP and routine laboratory tests were performed on admission. RESULTS: The median PCT (μg/L) and CRP (mg/L) were 0.11 (0.05–0.58) and 21.3 (4.2–48.1), respectively. PCT showed a good correlation with CRP, neutrophils and WBC (r = 0.538, P < 0.001; r = 0.377, P < 0.001; r = 0.285, P0.002, respectively). CRP, but not PCT, was associated with lobar consolidation (P = 0.007) and pleural effusion (P = 0.002). Logistic regression analysis revealed that only CRP was a predictor of lobar consolidation (OR: 1.078; 95% CI: 1.017–1.143; P = 0.011) and pleural effusion (OR: 1.076; 95% CI: 1.005–1.153; P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that PCT is correlated to the main inflammatory markers in children with CAP. CRP, unlike PCT, is able to predict the extent of chest X-ray infiltration and ultimately the severity of the disease confirming its usefulness in the management of pneumonia
Authors: Todd A Florin; Lilliam Ambroggio; Cole Brokamp; Yin Zhang; Mantosh Rattan; Eric Crotty; Michael A Belsky; Sara Krueger; Thomas N Epperson; Andrea Kachelmeyer; Richard Ruddy; Samir S Shah Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2020-05-13 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Susanna Esposito; Maria Di Gangi; Fabio Cardinale; Eugenio Baraldi; Ilaria Corsini; Liviana Da Dalt; Pier Angelo Tovo; Antonio Correra; Alberto Villani; Oliviero Sacco; Laura Tenero; Piera Dones; Monia Gambino; Alberto Zampiero; Nicola Principi Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-11-15 Impact factor: 3.240