Predicting infectious etiology and severity in hospitalized pediatric pneumonia using blood cytokine biomarkers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lower respiratory infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children. The aim of this study was to determine whether cytokine levels measured in plasma at the time of admission to the hospital can predict disease etiology or severity.

Methods

Blood was collected from pediatric inpatients, and cytokine levels were determined by cytokine multiplex analyses. Plasma cytokine concentrations were then analyzed using logistic regression and machine learning approaches to determine if we could accurately predict if a child would require longer-term hospitalization (≥5 days), intensive care, or exhibit hypoxemia (SpO₂ < 90%).

Results

A total of 159 patients were enrolled, and 59 cytokines were assessed in relation to the type of inf

SUBMITTER: Duray AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12757334 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature