Pediatric hematology and oncology
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Pediatr Hematol Oncol · Sep 2009
Procalcitonin and C-reactive protein serum levels as markers of infection in a pediatric population with febrile neutropenia and cancer.
Procalcitonin and C-reactive-protein are inflammatory markers for sepsis. The authors evaluated their sensitivity and specificity in pediatric patients with cancer and febrile neutropenia. ⋯ Procalcitonin is an accurate predictor of bacterial infection in neutropenic children, while C-reactive-protein may be a better screening test in emergency settings.
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Pediatr Hematol Oncol · Sep 2009
Comparative StudySoluble endothelial protein C receptor level in children with sepsis.
Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) is primarily localized on the endothelial cells of large blood vessels. EPCR enhances activation of protein C by 5- to 20-fold. EPCR appears to be physiologically significant in the control of blood coagulation and inflammation and in the host response to gram-negative sepsis. ⋯ Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia were the most common pathogens. Among these children 16 had sepsis, 23 had septic shock, 15 had multiple organ dysfuntion syndrome, and 12 had disseminated intravascular coagulation. sEPCR levels of survivors were 96 (44-260) and those of nonsurvivors' were 82.5 (38-325) ng/mL (p > .05). Serum soluble endothelial protein C receptor level is not elevated in children with sepsis, and it is not a prognostic parameter in septic children.