Comparison of efficacy of procalcitonin (PCT) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) as biochemical markers of sepsis in pediatric intensive care unit (ICU).

Background & Objectives: Sepsis in pediatric population has a high mortality rate and global health impact. Explicit diagnostic testing is critical in order to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis. Our study is aimed at comparing the efficacy of CRP and PCT, keeping blood culture as gold standard, in diagnosing sepsis in pediatric population to improve treatment and survival. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted at the Department of Pediatric Medicine at The Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore. Patients included were newly admitted neonates up to one month age with suspected sepsis, to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit over a period of six months, i.e. January 3, 2025 to June 30, 2025. Data collection was done by interviewing parents using a structured proforma, CRP and PCT tests were done and their sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were calculated. Results: A total of 165 neonates were enrolled in this study. Male were 46.7% and female were 53.3%. The most common age of presentation was zero day of life (Range 0-23 day, Mean one day, median zero day). C-Reactive Protein had a sensitivity and specificity of 75.5% and 67.2% respectively; while, Procalcitonin had a significantly higher sensitivity and specificity 83.6% and 86.2% respectively. The most common culture growth organism was Conclusions: Procalcitonin has a better sensitivity and specificity than C reactive protein in the early diagnosis of sepsis.