Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2025

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

10.3K

Hospital Variations and Temporal Trends in Procalcitonin Use for Patients With Bronchiolitis

Kathryn Bakkum1,2, Jonathan Pelletier3,2, Prabi Rajbhandari1,4,2

  • 1Divisions of Hospital Medicine.

Hospital Pediatrics
|September 18, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Procalcitonin (PCT) testing for bronchiolitis increased 14-fold from 2016 to 2022. However, this rise in PCT use did not correlate with reduced antibiotic prescriptions in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Clinical diagnostics
  • Healthcare economics

Background:

  • Bronchiolitis hospitalizations incur significant costs exceeding $700 million annually in the US.
  • Procalcitonin (PCT) testing is gaining traction in pediatrics, showing potential for reducing antibiotic use in various conditions.
  • The study investigates the utilization trends of PCT in pediatric bronchiolitis cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the trends in Procalcitonin (PCT) testing for bronchiolitis in infants.
  • To determine if increased PCT utilization correlates with changes in antibiotic prescribing or hospitalization rates.
  • To hypothesize an annual increase in PCT testing for bronchiolitis.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter, retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using the Pediatric Health Information Systems database.
  • Infants aged 2-23 months diagnosed with bronchiolitis between 2016 and 2022 were analyzed.
  • Statistical analyses, including chi-squared and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, were used to compare encounters with and without PCT testing, alongside Spearman's rho for trend analysis.

Main Results:

  • Over 366,000 bronchiolitis encounters were reviewed, with PCT testing performed in 1.5% of cases.
  • PCT usage surged over 14-fold from 2016 (0.2%) to 2022 (2.8%), with significant year-over-year increases.
  • Hospital-level PCT use did not show a significant association with admission rates (P = .42) or antibiotic administration (P = .06).

Conclusions:

  • Procalcitonin (PCT) testing for bronchiolitis saw a substantial 14-fold increase between 2016 and 2022.
  • The rise in PCT testing was not linked to a decrease in antimicrobial prescriptions for bronchiolitis.
  • Further research is required to establish the diagnostic value and clinical utility of PCT in managing pediatric bronchiolitis.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia04:32

Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia

Published on: June 28, 2018

11.7K
Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses11:17

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

Published on: August 30, 2018

12.9K

Related Concept Videos

Temperature Measurement Sites01:14

Temperature Measurement Sites

A thermometer measures body temperature. The common sites for measuring body temperature are the oral cavity, axillary region, temporal artery, and skin surface, such as the forehead, abdomen, and axilla. True core body temperature is assessed in the rectum, tympanic membrane, pulmonary artery, esophagus, and urinary bladder.
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
1.6K
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
182
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV01:26

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
134
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis01:26

Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis

Thoracentesis(Thoracocentesis), commonly known as pleural tap, is a medical procedure where a 22 gauge needle is inserted into the pleural space, the area between the lung and chest wall. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose or treat various respiratory disorders.
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
220