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[Comparative study of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in the severity diagnosis of pyelonephritis in children]

J Bouguila1, I Khalef, B Charfeddine

  • 1Service de pédiatrie, CHU Farhat Hached, avenue Ibn El Jazzar, 4000 Sousse, Tunisie. jbouguila@yahoo.fr

Pathologie-Biologie
|March 14, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Procalcitonin (PCT) is more sensitive and specific than C-reactive protein (CRP) for detecting acute kidney damage in children with their first urinary tract infection, aiding in early diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biomarker Research

Background:

  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children and can lead to acute kidney damage.
  • Early detection of renal lesions is crucial for appropriate management and preventing long-term complications.
  • Biomarkers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) are used to assess infection severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of serum procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in identifying acute renal lesions.
  • To evaluate these biomarkers in children experiencing their first episode of febrile urinary tract infection.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 75 children with a first febrile UTI.
  • Serum PCT, CRP, and leukocyte counts were measured.
  • Renal lesions were assessed using DMSA scintigraphy.

Main Results:

  • Children with renal lesions (n=33) had significantly higher mean PCT levels than those without (n=42) (8.81 ng/mL vs. 1.7 ng/mL, P=0.01).
  • Optimal cut-off values were identified: PCT at 0.76 ng/mL and CRP at 70 mg/L.
  • PCT demonstrated higher sensitivity (82% vs. 70%) and negative predictive value (84% vs. 70%) compared to CRP.

Conclusions:

  • Serum PCT levels are more sensitive and specific than CRP for detecting renal lesions in children with their first UTI.
  • PCT shows greater diagnostic accuracy in identifying acute kidney damage in pediatric UTIs.
Abstract

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