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

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: 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. SUBJECTS: 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; >or=0.5 to <2 = sepsis possible; >or=2 to <10 = systemic inflammation; >or=10 = septic shock. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: PCT was better than CRP for diagnosing sepsis and septic shock, mainly at admission, and is related to disease severity.

Interleukin-6 and procalcitonin in children with sepsis and septic shock.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the behavior of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and procalcitonin (PCT) and verify whether they can be used to differentiate children with septic conditions. METHODS: Septic children aged between 28 days and 14 years, prospectively enrolled from 01/2004 to 12/2005, were divided into sepsis (SG; n=47) and septic shock (SSG; n=43) groups. IL-6 and PCT were measured at admission (T0) and 12h later (T12h). PCT results were classed as: 0.5 ng/mL=sepsis unlikely; > or =0.5 to <2=sepsis possible; > or =2 to <10=systemic inflammation; > or =10=septic shock. RESULTS: Ninety children were included. At T0, there was a higher frequency of SSG with higher PCT compared with SG [SSG: 30 (69.7%)>SG: 14 (29.8%); p<0.05]. Similar results were observed at T12h. PRISM was significantly higher for SSG patients with higher PCT than SG patients. At T0, IL-6 levels were higher in SSG [SSG: 213.10 (10.85-396.70)>SG: 63.21 (0.86-409.82); p=0.001], but not statistically different at T12h. IL-6 levels positively correlated with PRISM score in SSG patients at admission (p=0.001; r=0.86). CONCLUSION: PCT and IL-6 appear to be helpful in early assessment of pediatric sepsis, are of diagnostic value at admission, and are related to disease severity.

Acute and sustained effects of early administration of inhaled nitric oxide to children with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the acute and sustained effects of early inhaled nitric oxide on some oxygenation indexes and ventilator settings and to compare inhaled nitric oxide administration and conventional therapy on mortality rate, length of stay in intensive care, and duration of mechanical ventilation in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Pediatric intensive care unit at a university-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Children with acute respiratory distress syndrome, aged between 1 month and 12 yrs. INTERVENTIONS: Two groups were studied: an inhaled nitric oxide group (iNOG, n = 18) composed of patients prospectively enrolled from November 2000 to November 2002, and a conventional therapy group (CTG, n = 21) consisting of historical control patients admitted from August 1998 to August 2000. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Therapy with inhaled nitric oxide was introduced as early as 1.5 hrs after acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis with acute improvements in Pao(2)/Fio(2) ratio (83.7%) and oxygenation index (46.7%). Study groups were of similar ages, gender, primary diagnoses, pediatric risk of mortality score, and mean airway pressure. Pao(2)/Fio(2) ratio was lower (CTG, 116.9 +/- 34.5; iNOG, 62.5 +/- 12.8, p <.0001) and oxygenation index higher (CTG, 15.2 [range, 7.2-32.2]; iNOG, 24.3 [range, 16.3-70.4], p <.0001) in the iNOG. Prolonged treatment was associated with improved oxygenation, so that Fio(2) and peak inspiratory pressure could be quickly and significantly reduced. Mortality rate for inhaled nitric oxide-patients was lower (CTG, ten of 21, 47.6%; iNOG, three of 18, 16.6%, p <.001). There was no difference in intensive care stay (CTG, 10 days [range, 2-49]; iNOG, 12 [range, 6-26], p >.05) or duration of mechanical ventilation (TCG, 9 days [range, 2-47]; iNOG, 10 [range, 4-25], p >.05). CONCLUSIONS: Early treatment with inhaled nitric oxide causes acute and sustained improvement in oxygenation, with earlier reduction of ventilator settings, which might contribute to reduce the mortality rate in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Length of stay in intensive care and duration of mechanical ventilation are not changed. Prospective trials of inhaled nitric oxide early in the setting of acute lung injury in children are needed.