Assessment of Some Inflammatory Biomarkers in Children with Febrile Seizure and Bacterial Meningitis

Abstract

Introduction: Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a serious infection characterized by inflammation of the
meninges, causing a high rate of acute complications in children. This research aimed to explain the effect of
procalcitonin (PCT) in BM and its correlation with the others some inflammatory biomarkers.
Method: The case-control study included Fifty children who were diagnosed with suspected bacterial
meningitis associated with febrile seizure according to the clinical investigation by specialized pediatrician
and analysis of CSF and Forty children were enrolled as healthy control. The inflammatory biomarkers
procalcitonin, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) were estimated for each
participants in addition to measurement of CBC(complete blood count) by using an automated instrument.
Results: Patients have significantly higher serum levels of PRO, CRP, ESR, total WBC count, ANC, and
NLR than the control group. Elevating serum PRO and CRP levels in patients group were significantly
associated with increased serum ANC levels. A significant relationship was also observed between PRO and
NLR, indicating that the PRO, CRP and NLR had a suitable biomarkers in the diagnosis of BM.
Conclusion: Serum procalcitonin is more specific and sensitive inflammatory biomarkers than the NLR and
CRP for the evaluation of suspected bacterial meningitis, so the recommended to use PCT assays in the early
diagnosis of children with BM.