DIAGNOSTIC AND PROGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF PROCALCITONIN AND INTERLEUKIN-6 IN PEDIATRIC ATHLETES WITH SEVERE PNEUMONIA

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical utility of serum procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels for diagnosing and predicting outcomes in pediatric athletes with severe pneumonia. Methods: This study included 60 pediatric patients diagnosed with pneumonia, treated at our facility from June 2018 to June 2020. Based on severity, patients were divided into two groups: mild pneumonia and severe pneumonia. A control group comprised 60 healthy pediatric athletes undergoing routine physical exams. Serum PCT and IL-6 levels were measured for all participants at admission, 24 hours post-admission, and at discharge. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare these biomarkers across different severity levels and outcomes. Results: Serum PCT and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the control group. At admission, after 24 hours, and at discharge, both PCT and IL-6 levels were notably higher in the severe pneumonia group than in the mild pneumonia group (P < 0.05). Comparatively, levels in the deceased subgroup were higher than in those who survived (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Elevated serum PCT and IL-6 levels in pediatric athletes with severe pneumonia are indicative of greater disease severity. These biomarkers decrease following effective treatment, suggesting their utility in monitoring treatment response. Enhancing the detection of serum PCT and IL-6 is crucial for the accurate assessment and prognosis of severe pneumonia in this population.