Procalcitonin as Point-of-Care Testing Modality for the Diagnosis of Pneumonia in Children With Influenza-like Illness

Hernández-Bou, SusannaTrenchs, VictoriaGuirado, CristinaCastrillón, IgnacioLuaces, Carles2025-05-092025-05-092024-01Hernández-Bou Susanna, Trenchs Victoria, Guirado Cristina, Castrillón Ignacio, Luaces Carles . Procalcitonin as Point-of-Care Testing Modality for the Diagnosis of Pneumonia in Children With Influenza-like Illness. Indian Pediatrics. 2024 Jan; 61(1): 57-610974-75590019-6061https://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/245706Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of procalcitonin (PCT) as a point-of-care testing to screen for radiographic pneumonia among children with influenza-like illness (ILI) and prolonged fever. Methods: A prospective cohort study conducted at the pediatric emergency department of a tertiary hospital. Point-of-care testing for PCT was determined for 185 children aged 3 months to < 18 years with ILI and fever lasting > 4 days seen during the flu season in 2020. A chest radiograph (CXR) was performed for patients with PCT > 0.5 ng/mL. Results: PCT value was > 0.5 ng/mL in 46 (24.9%) patients; a CXR was ordered in all cases except one and 14 (31.1%) of them had radiographic pneumonia (all had a PCT value > 0.7 ng/mL). Among the 139 (75.1%) patients with a PCT value ? 0.5 ng/mL, 137 (98.6%) were managed in the outpatient with symptomatic treatment; the remaining two cases warranted a CXR which was unremarkable in both. At evolution, no radiographic pneumonia was diagnosted in any of them. Conclusion: PCT is a useful tool for point-of-care testing in patients with ILI and fever > 4 days to guide the indication for CXR to rule out radiographic pneumonia and helps in avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure.ChestEmergencyInfluenzaPneumoniaRadiographProcalcitonin as Point-of-Care Testing Modality for the Diagnosis of Pneumonia in Children With Influenza-like IllnessJournal ArticleIndiaPediatric Emergency Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2,08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, SpainPediatric Emergency Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2,08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, SpainPediatric Emergency Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2,08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, SpainPediatric Emergency Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2,08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, SpainPediatric Emergency Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2,08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain