Abstract:

Objective  To assess the clinical values of measuring procalcitonin(PCT) and high-sensitive-C reactive protein(hsCRP) levels and white blood cell(WBC) count for prediction of the respiratory tract infections in children. Methods  150 children with respiratory tract infections treated in our hospital were included from May 2014 to August 2015 as case group, in whom 80 were bacterial infection(Gram-positive infections in 43, Gram-negative in 37) and 70 were nonbacterial infection. Another 46 healthy children undergoing physical examination in the corresponding period were selected as control group. Levels of PCT and hs-CRP as well as WBC count were measured in both groups and compared for evaluating the values of the indicators in predicting respiratory tract infections in children. Results  Children in bacterial infection group had higher PCT and hs-CRP levels and WBC count than those in nonbacterial infection group and control group (P<0.05), yet the nonbacterial infections group and control group remained no significant difference regarding the levels of PCT and hs-CRP and WBC count (P>0.05). Of the three indicators, PCT level had higher sensitivity and specificity than hsCRP level and WBC count in predicting the respiratory tract infection, and combined measurement of the three indicators can improve the general sensitivity. Children with Gram-negative bacterial infection had significantly level than those infected with Gram-positive bacteria(P<0.05), yet hsCRP level and WBC count were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion  PCT and hs-CRP level and WBC count can be the common indicators for predicting respiratory tract infections in children, however, PCT has higher sensitivity and specificity than hsCRP measurement and WBC count. These findings may be differential role in bacterial and non-bacterial infection as well as Gram-positive or negative infection.

Key words: Procalcitonin, High-sensitive-C reactive protein, White blood cell, Respiratory system, Infection