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  • Title: Serial procalcitonin levels to detect bacteremia in febrile neutropenia.
    Author: Reitman AJ, Pisk RM, Gates JV, Ozeran JD.
    Journal: Clin Pediatr (Phila); 2012 Dec; 51(12):1175-83. PubMed ID: 23034950.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Our objective was to evaluate serial procalcitonin (PCT) levels compared with an initial PCT level at admission in predicting bacteremia in pediatric febrile neutropenic oncology patients. PROCEDURE: Serum PCT levels were measured at admission (t0) and within 24 hours of admission (t1) in pediatric oncology patients presenting with fever and neutropenia. A blood culture was collected at t0 and monitored for 5 days for bacterial growth. PCT value of 0.5 ng/mL at either t0 or t1 was considered predictive for bacteremia. RESULTS: PCT levels were significantly higher in children with positive blood cultures than with negative blood cultures. Serial PCT values mirrored t1 values. Serial PCT showed 76% specificity and negative predictive value of 93% in ruling out bacteremia. CONCLUSION: Elevated PCT levels are predictive of bacteremia. Using serial PCT levels within 24 hours allowed a better prediction of bacteremia than the PCT level at t0.
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