Procalcitonin as a Predictor of Trauma Severity and Post-traumatic Sepsis in Children

Objective To determine the association of procalcitonin (PCT) with trauma severity and post-traumatic sepsis in children. Methods The blood samples of 30 children with acute trauma in a Pediatric unit were collected for four consecutive days. The levels of PCT, IL-6, CRP and WBC were measured. The pediatric trauma score (PTS), length of stay in hospital, incidence of sepsis and clinical outcomes of the children were recorded. The value of PCT for predicting prognosis of children with trauma was compared with other inflammatory markers. Results Plasma PCT levels increased significantly in the patients in our study. Sepsis occurred in 23.33% of the patients. The patients with sepsis had higher levels of PCT than those with and without systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and the healthy controls (P<0.05). The peak level of PCT emerged on day 2 after trauma. The plasma PCT levels were positively correlated with trauma severity. The level of PCT on day 2 was an independent predictor for post-trauma sepsis and SIRS. Conclusion Plasma PCT levels increase markedly in post-trauma children. Plasma PCT of day 2 after trauma is an independent predictor of post-traumatic sepsis and SIRS complications. There is a significant correlation between the severity of injury and plasma PCT.