Comparison between procalcitonin and C-reactive protein for early diagnosis of children with sepsis or septic shock

The objective of the paper is to examine the behavior of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in the first 12 h of admission and verify which performs better to differentiate children with septic conditions. Septic children aged between 28 days and 14 years were divided into sepsis (SG; n = 46) and septic shock (SSG; n = 41) groups. CRP and PCT were measured at admission (T0) and 12 h later (T12 h). PCT results were classed as: 0.5 ng/ml = sepsis unlikely; a parts per thousand yen0.5 to < 2 = sepsis possible; a parts per thousand yen2 to < 10 = systemic inflammation; a parts per thousand yen10 = septic shock. At T0, there was a higher frequency of SSG with PCT > 10 compared to SG [SSG: 30 (73.1%) > SG: 14 (30.4%); P < 0.05]. Similar results were observed at T12 h. Pediatric Risk of Mortality I score was significantly higher for SSG patients with higher PCT than SG patients. CRP levels were not statistically different for groups and time points. PCT was better than CRP for diagnosing sepsis and septic shock, mainly at admission, and is related to disease severity.