DOES PROCALCITONIN HAS DIAGNOSTIC VALUE IN WELL APPEARING FEBRILE CHILDREN?

Abstract

Background: Occult bacteremia (OB) means bacteremia without an obvious focus of infection, about 30 % of
febrile children, three months to three years old have occult bacteremia, many children with occult bacteremia
may appear relatively well. If occult bacteremia is neglected and not treated, it may be localized resulting in
meningitis, pneumonia, cellulits or septic arthritis. This study aimed to evaluate the estimation of serum
procalcitonin (PCT) in determination genuine bacterial contamination specifically intrusive bacterial disease in
well-seeming febrile cases. Subjects and methods: This cross sectional study which was conducted at Pediatrics
Department of Zagazig University Hospitals from April 2016 to October 2016. This study conducted on 37 cases
with fever without source (FWS). All patients were subjected to detailed history taking, general examination and
Laboratory Investigations included; Serum procalcitonin (PCT), Complete blood picture (CBC), C-reactive
protein (CRP), Blood culture. Results: There was significant increase in WBCs among positive culture group
than negative culture group, there was statistically significant increase in procalcitonin (PCT) among Positive
culture group than Negative culture group and there were statistically significant positive correlation between
PCT and CRP, PCT and TLC. Conclusion: PCT shows the highest sensitivity and specificity for detection of
cases compared to other parameters of infection.