An Investigation of the Relationship Between the Severity Scoring Index and Laboratory Parameters in Pediatric Patients with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever: A 12-Year Retrospective Evaluation.

Abstract

Background: There are limited studies on the severity of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in children. The study aimed to investigate the correlation between the severity scoring index (SSI) score and other laboratory parameters in children. Materials and Methods: Patients younger than 18 years of age who were diagnosed with CCHF in 2011-2022 were included in the study. The SSI score and laboratory parameters at the time of admission were taken into consideration. Results: At 12-year follow-up, 81 pediatric patients were diagnosed with CCHF. According to the SSI calculated at the time of admission, 59 (72.8%) patients were in the mild group and 22 (27.2%) patients were in the moderate group. According to Spearman's correlation analysis results, a positive correlation was found between the SSI score and c-reactive protein (CRP) (r = 0.737, p < 0.001), lactate dehydrogenase (r = 0.312, p = 0.010), alanine transaminase to lymphocyte ratio (r = 0.428, p < 0.001), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (r = 0.406, p < 0.001), and derived-neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (r = 0.389, p < 0.001). In addition, lymphocyte to c-reactive protein ratio (LCR) (r = -0.782, p < 0.001), lymphocyte count (r = -0.422, p < 0.001), and white blood cell (r = -0.250, p = 0.026) values were negatively correlated with the SSI. Conclusions: A strong correlation (r > 0.7) was found between LCR (r = -0.782) and CRP (r = 0.737) and the SSI.