The role of serum procalcitonin in etiology diagnosis of sepsis in children

Abstract

Objective To investigate the serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels in sepsis caused by the bacteria, virus and mycoplasma and explore the role of PCT in etiology diagnosis of sepsis in children. Methods Three hundreds and thirty critically ill children with sepsis caused by bacteria, virus and mycoplasma admitted in PICU of Hunan Children's Hospital from Feb 1, 2011 to Sep 1, 2012 were reviewed and analyzed. The PCT levels were measured at admission and day 3. The differences in accidence of sepsis caused by bacteria, viruses and mycoplasma according to different serum PCT levels were analyzed. The differences of PCT levels at admission and day 3 in sepsic children caused by bacteria, viruses and mycoplasma were analyzed. Results The level of serum PCT in sepsis caused by bacterial infection were distinctly increased, caused by virus and mycoplasma infections was not obvious but the increases of serum PCT[0.71 (8.14) ng/ml, 0.15 (1.68) ng/ml, 0.28 (1.89) ng/ml]. According to various PCT levels (0.05~ng/ml, 0.5~ng/ml, 2~ng/ml, 10~300 ng/ml), the differences of accidence of sepsis caused by bacteria, virus and mycoplasma were also statistically significant (χ2=84.50, P<0.01). The PCT level of septic children caused by bacterial infection in day 3 was significantly decreased compared with that at admission[0.32 (5.68) ng/ml vs 0.71 (8.14) ng/ml] (U=19.34, P<0.05). Conclusion PCT plays a certain role in etiology diagnosis of sepsis in children. The increased PCT levels which can be reduced by anti-inflammatory treatment indicate the likelihood of bacterial infection and sepsis. The increase of PCT induced by viral and mycoplasma infections is not obvious, but bacterial infection can not be completely ruled out. Key words: Procalcitonin; Sepsis; Etiology; Children