The value of white blood cell count in predicting serious bacterial infections in children presenting to the emergency department: a multicentre observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

White blood cell count (WBC) is a widely used marker for the prediction of serious bacterial infection (SBI); however, previous research has shown poor performance. This study aims to assess the value of WBC in the prediction of SBI in children at the emergency department (ED) and compare its value with C reactive protein (CRP) and absolute neutrophil count (ANC).

Methods

This study is an observational multicentre study including febrile children aged 0-18 years attending 1 of 12 EDs in 8 European countries. The association between WBC and SBI was assessed by multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for age, CRP and duration of fever. Additionally, diagnostic performance was assessed by sensitivity and specificity. Results were compared with CRP and ANC.

Re

SUBMITTER: Kemps N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11866293 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature