Point-of-care testing for procalcitonin in identifying bacterial infections in young infants: a diagnostic accuracy study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The primary objective of this study was to report on the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care testing (POCT) for procalcitonin (PCT) in identifying invasive bacterial infections in young infants. Invasive bacterial infection was defined as the isolation of a bacterial pathogen in blood or cerebrospinal fluid culture.

Methods

This was a prospective observational diagnostic accuracy study. Young infants less than 90 days of age presenting to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children with signs of possible bacterial infection were eligible for inclusion. Eligible infants underwent point-of-care testing for procalcitonin in the emergency department. Testing was performed by clinical staff using 0.5 ml of whole blood. Results were available within 20 min.

Results

SUBMITTER: Waterfield T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6292055 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature