E-ISSN 2757-8062
Volume : 47 Issue : 2 Year : 2024

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Zeynep Kamil Medical Journal
Assessment of Procalcitonin as Diagnostic Marker in Children with Neutropenic Fever [Zeynep Kamil Med J]
Zeynep Kamil Med J. 2016; 47(2): 57-62 | DOI: 10.16948/zktb.71019

Assessment of Procalcitonin as Diagnostic Marker in Children with Neutropenic Fever

Nilüfer Eldes Hacıfazlıoğlu1, Aynur Oğuz2, Ceyda Karadeniz2, Caglar Elvan Çıtak3
1Zeynep Kamil Maternity and Training Hospital, Pediatric Neurology, Istanbul, Turkey
2Gazi University, Medicine Faculty, Pediatric Oncology Clinic, Ankara, Turkey
3Mersin University, Medicine Faculty, Pediatric Oncology Clinic, Mersin, Turkey

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to predict the usefulness of procalcitonin (PCT) for diagnosis of systemic and bacterial infections in children with neutropenic fever.
METHODS: In this study 46 neutropenic fever attacks of the 32 cancer patients were evaluated. Newly diagnosed 35 cancer patients were selected as controls. Serum levels of PCT and CRP (C- reactive protein) were determined on the first and third days of fever and at the end of the antimicrobial therapy in study group. Neutropenic fever episodes were classified as fever of unknown origin (FUO), microbiologically and clinically documented infection (MDI, CDI). MDI were further subdivided into two groups as systemic and localized infection.
RESULTS: Serum levels of PCT were highest on the first day of neutropenic fever in MDI group. The levels of PCT were higher in systemic infections than localized ones. There was no difference for the serum levels of CRP in FUO, CDI and MDI or systemic and localized infections. The PCT levels rapidly decreased to the normal range by resolution of fever with successful antimicrobial therapy.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We conclude that serial measurement of serum PCT levels is more sensitive and specific than that of CRP for diagnosis and sequential assessment of febrile neutropenic episodes.

Keywords: procalcitonin, neutropenic fever, children

Nilüfer Eldes Hacıfazlıoğlu, Aynur Oğuz, Ceyda Karadeniz, Caglar Elvan Çıtak. Assessment of Procalcitonin as Diagnostic Marker in Children with Neutropenic Fever. Zeynep Kamil Med J. 2016; 47(2): 57-62

Corresponding Author: Nilüfer Eldes Hacıfazlıoğlu, Türkiye
Manuscript Language: English
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