Biomarkers for Serious Bacterial Infections in Febrile Children. 2024

Luca Bernardi, and Gianluca Bossù, and Giulia Dal Canto, and Giuliana Giannì, and Susanna Esposito
Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.

Febrile infections in children are a common cause of presentation to the emergency department (ED). While viral infections are usually self-limiting, sometimes bacterial illnesses may lead to sepsis and severe complications. Inflammatory biomarkers such as C reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin are usually the first blood exams performed in the ED to differentiate bacterial and viral infections; nowadays, a better understanding of immunochemical pathways has led to the discovery of new and more specific biomarkers that could play a role in the emergency setting. The aim of this narrative review is to provide the most recent evidence on biomarkers and predictor models, combining them for serious bacterial infection (SBI) diagnosis in febrile children. Literature analysis shows that inflammatory response is a complex mechanism in which many biochemical and immunological factors contribute to the host response in SBI. CRP and procalcitonin still represent the most used biomarkers in the pediatric ED for the diagnosis of SBI. Their sensibility and sensitivity increase when combined, and for this reason, it is reasonable to take them both into consideration in the evaluation of febrile children. The potential of machine learning tools, which represent a real novelty in medical practice, in conjunction with routine clinical and biological information, may improve the accuracy of diagnosis and target therapeutic options in SBI. However, studies on this matter are not yet validated in younger populations, making their relevance in pediatric precision medicine still uncertain. More data from further research are needed to improve clinical practice and decision making using these new technologies.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D002097 C-Reactive Protein A plasma protein that circulates in increased amounts during inflammation and after tissue damage. C-Reactive Protein measured by more sensitive methods often for coronary heart disease risk assessment is referred to as High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP). High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein,hs-CRP,hsCRP,C Reactive Protein,High Sensitivity C Reactive Protein
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000077740 Procalcitonin A peptide prohormone precursor of CALCITONIN. It is normally present at low levels in serum, but is released into the bloodstream, primarily from neuroendocrine cells in the lungs and intestines, in response to INFLAMMATION and BACTERIAL INFECTIONS. It is a diagnostic marker for BACTEREMIA. Calcitonin Precursor Polyprotein,Calcitonin Related Polypeptide Alpha,Calcitonin-1,Pro-Calcitonin,Calcitonin 1
D001424 Bacterial Infections Infections by bacteria, general or unspecified. Bacterial Disease,Bacterial Infection,Infection, Bacterial,Infections, Bacterial,Bacterial Diseases
D014777 Virus Diseases A general term for diseases caused by viruses. Viral Diseases,Viral Infections,Virus Infections,Disease, Viral,Disease, Virus,Diseases, Viral,Diseases, Virus,Infection, Viral,Infection, Virus,Infections, Viral,Infections, Virus,Viral Disease,Viral Infection,Virus Disease,Virus Infection
D015415 Biomarkers Measurable and quantifiable biological parameters (e.g., specific enzyme concentration, specific hormone concentration, specific gene phenotype distribution in a population, presence of biological substances) which serve as indices for health- and physiology-related assessments, such as disease risk, psychiatric disorders, ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE and its effects, disease diagnosis; METABOLIC PROCESSES; SUBSTANCE ABUSE; PREGNANCY; cell line development; EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES; etc. Biochemical Markers,Biological Markers,Biomarker,Clinical Markers,Immunologic Markers,Laboratory Markers,Markers, Biochemical,Markers, Biological,Markers, Clinical,Markers, Immunologic,Markers, Laboratory,Markers, Serum,Markers, Surrogate,Markers, Viral,Serum Markers,Surrogate Markers,Viral Markers,Biochemical Marker,Biologic Marker,Biologic Markers,Clinical Marker,Immune Marker,Immune Markers,Immunologic Marker,Laboratory Marker,Marker, Biochemical,Marker, Biological,Marker, Clinical,Marker, Immunologic,Marker, Laboratory,Marker, Serum,Marker, Surrogate,Serum Marker,Surrogate End Point,Surrogate End Points,Surrogate Endpoint,Surrogate Endpoints,Surrogate Marker,Viral Marker,Biological Marker,End Point, Surrogate,End Points, Surrogate,Endpoint, Surrogate,Endpoints, Surrogate,Marker, Biologic,Marker, Immune,Marker, Viral,Markers, Biologic,Markers, Immune

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