Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

17.9K

Role of Procalcitonin As an Inflammatory Marker in a Sample of Egyptian Children with Simple Obesity

Ghada M El Kassas1, Manal A Shehata1, Maged A El Wakeel1

  • 1Department of Child Health, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences
|August 31, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Serum procalcitonin (PCT) may serve as a key biomarker for detecting chronic low-grade inflammation in obese children and adolescents. Elevated PCT levels correlate with increased adiposity and insulin resistance, highlighting its diagnostic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Obesity is a complex condition linked to metabolic dysfunction and chronic inflammation.
  • Procalcitonin (PCT), traditionally an infection marker, shows emerging potential in assessing chronic low-grade inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the utility of serum PCT as an inflammatory biomarker in diagnosing obesity-related chronic low-grade inflammation.
  • To evaluate the association between PCT levels and obesity markers in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 50 obese and 35 normal-weight children (aged 5-15 years).
  • Measurements included anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, glucose, insulin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), and serum PCT.
  • Serum PCT levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Main Results:

  • Obese children exhibited significantly higher serum PCT, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, glucose, and Hs-CRP compared to controls.
  • PCT demonstrated a significant positive correlation with BMI z-score, insulin, HOMA-IR, Hs-CRP, total cholesterol, and triglycerides in the obese group.

Conclusions:

  • Increased serum PCT concentrations are strongly associated with adiposity measures, Hs-CRP, and insulin resistance.
  • Serum PCT shows promise as a valuable biomarker for identifying obesity-related chronic low-grade inflammation in children and adolescents.
Abstract

Keywords:
Egyptian ChildrenInflammatory MarkerObesityProcalcitonin

More Related Videos

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis08:44

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis

Published on: September 7, 2022

2.9K
Accurate and Simple Measurement of the Pro-inflammatory Cytokine IL-1β using a Whole Blood Stimulation Assay06:29

Accurate and Simple Measurement of the Pro-inflammatory Cytokine IL-1β using a Whole Blood Stimulation Assay

Published on: March 1, 2011

27.0K

Related Concept Videos

Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.3K
Inflammatory Response01:28

Inflammatory Response

An inflammatory response is a localized, nonspecific immune reaction that occurs when a tissue is injured. It is characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, which are commonly called the cardinal signs and symptoms of inflammation. Inflammation can sometimes result in a loss of function.
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
16.8K
Inflammatory Response II: Inflammatory Exudate and Tissue Repair01:24

Inflammatory Response II: Inflammatory Exudate and Tissue Repair

The immune system's inflammatory response destroys the invading pathogen, permitting the tissue to heal. The changes during the cellular and vascular stages allow exudate formation at the site of inflammation. The inflammatory exudate released from the wound has high protein content and a specific gravity above 1.020.
The typical wound exudate is odorless, transparent, straw-colored, thin, and watery. Exudate, however, can differ depending on the state of wound healing. Likewise, the...
7.9K
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
268
Role of Septins01:02

Role of Septins

Septins are the recently discovered fourth major protein component of the cytoskeleton, along with microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. These proteins can associate with other cytoskeletal filaments and carry out varied roles or can be free-floating in the cytoplasm.
Cellular Functions of Septins
Recent studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of septins in various cellular processes such as cytokinesis, ciliogenesis, and neurogenesis. Septins act as scaffolds and...
2.2K
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
306