Utility of serum procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in severity assessment of community-acquired pneumonia in children

•PCT showed a correlation with CRP, neutrophils and WBC in pediatric CAP.•CRP was associated to lobar consolidation and pleural effusion in pediatric CAP.•CRP but not PCT predicted the extent of chest X-ray infiltration and CAP severity.

ObjectivesAlthough the importance of serum Procalcitonin (PCT) levels at diagnosis is well established in adult Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), its use remains controversial in pediatric CAP. The aim of our study is to investigate the role of PCT and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in the assessment of pediatric CAP severity defined by the extent of consolidation on chest X-rays and the presence of pleural effusion. In this particular setting, no clinical severity score is available at present and chest X-ray, although important for diagnosis confirmation, is not recommended as routine test.Design and methodsThe study involved 119 children admitted to the Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease for radiographically documented CAP aged 1 year to 14 years, without chronic diseases. Baseline PCT, CRP and routine laboratory tests were performed on admission.ResultsThe median PCT (μg/L) and CRP (mg/L) were 0.11 (0.05–0.58) and 21.3 (4.2–48.1), respectively. PCT showed a good correlation with CRP, neutrophils and WBC (r = 0.538, P < 0.001; r = 0.377, P < 0.001; r = 0.285, P0.002, respectively). CRP, but not PCT, was associated with lobar consolidation (P = 0.007) and pleural effusion (P = 0.002). Logistic regression analysis revealed that only CRP was a predictor of lobar consolidation (OR: 1.078; 95% CI: 1.017–1.143; P = 0.011) and pleural effusion (OR: 1.076; 95% CI: 1.005–1.153; P = 0.036).ConclusionOur findings revealed that PCT is correlated to the main inflammatory markers in children with CAP. CRP, unlike PCT, is able to predict the extent of chest X-ray infiltration and ultimately the severity of the disease confirming its usefulness in the management of pneumonia.