Serum procalcitonin as a predictor of severity of pneumonia in under-five children: A prospective observational study

Table 2 Investigations, clinical course and outcomes in included children, n (%)/mean ± SD

Characteristics	All patients (n = 200)	Bacterial (n = 39)	Viral (n = 15)	Atypical (n = 7)	P value
Complete blood count
Total leucocyte count (cumm)	15417.4 ± 5551.1	17417.2 ± 3254.8	14226.4 ± 2119.6	13112.4 ± 1792.2	0.39
Hemoglobin (g/dL)	10.6 ± 1.8	10.9 ± 1.4	11.0 ± 1.6	11.1 ± 1.2	0.76
Neutrophil (%)	84 ± 6.4	84 ± 6.1	72 ± 7.3	73 ± 7.1	0.59
Lymphocyte (%)	31 ± 5.2	28 ± 5.4	33 ± 6.1	32 ± 4.8	0.84
Platelet count (lakhs/cumm)	2.4 ± 0.9	2.4 ± 1.5	2.7 ± 1.2	2.6 ± 1.2	0.91
Liver function tests
Total bilirubin (mg/dL)	0.9 ± 0.2	1.1 ± 0.2	1.4 ± 0.3	0.8 ± 0.1	0.65
Total protein (g/L)	7.7 ± 0.9	7.7 ± 0.8	7.6 ± 1.1	7.6 ± 0.9	0.77
Aspartate transaminase (U/L)	41 ± 8.4	36 ± 7.9	45 ± 8.1	44 ± 7.7	0.44
Alanine transaminase (U/L)	37 ± 6.5	36 ± 6.7	39 ± 6.1	38 ± 6.6	0.82
Renal function tests
Urea (mg/dL)	29 ± 8.4	29 ± 8.1	27 ± 9.1	28 ± 8.8	0.69
Creatinine (mg/dL)	0.8 ± 0.2	0.8 ± 0.2	0.8 ± 0.2	0.8 ± 0.2	0.93
Inflammatory markers
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mm/hour)	28 ± 12	23 ± 11	32 ± 8	26 ± 10	0.46
C-reactive protein (mg/L)	22 ± 9	42 ± 6	28 ± 7	20 ± 5	0.37
Chest X ray findings
Heterogenous opacities/infiltrates	106 (53)	14 (35.9)	13 (86.7)	6 (85.7)	0.07
Consolidation	73 (36.5)	25 (64.1)	2 (13.3)	1 (14.3)	P < 0.01
Duration of antibiotics use
5-10 days	142 (71)	26 (66.7)	15 (100)	7 (100)	-
> 10 days	58 (29)	13 (33.3)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0.002
Type of respiratory support
Nasal cannula/face mask	200 (100)	39 (100)	15 (100)	7 (100)	-
Continuous positive airway pressure	43 (21.5)	7 (17.9)	3 (13.3)	1 (14.3)	0.63
Heated humidified high flow nasal cannula	40 (20)	15 (38.5)	6 (40)	3 (42.9)	0.38
Mechanical ventilation	36 (18)	6 (15.4)	4 (26.6)	1 (14.3)	0.71
Pneumonia severity types
Moderate	115 (57.5)	19 (48.7)	9 (60)	5 (71.4)	0.33
Severe	49 (24.5)	13 (33.3)	4 (26.7)	1 (14.3)	0.27
Very severe	36 (18)	7 (18)	2 (13.3)	1 (14.3)	0.48
Outcomes
Discharged	182 (91)	33 (84.6)	13 (86.7)	7 (100)	0.51
Died	18 (9)	6 (15.4)	2 (13.3)	0	0.42

P < 0.05 has statistical significance.