The kinetic profiles of copeptin and mid regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) in pediatric lower respiratory tract infections.

Background: Kinetics of copeptin and mid regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) during febrile pediatric lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) are unknown. We aimed to analyze kinetic profiles of copeptin and MR-proADM and the impact of clinical and laboratory factors on those biomarkers.

Methods: This is a retrospective post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial, evaluating procalcitonin guidance for antibiotic treatment of LRTI (ProPAED-study).

Drivers of antibiotic prescribing in children and adolescents with febrile lower respiratory tract infections.

Background: Knowledge of key drivers for antibiotic prescribing in pediatric lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) could support rational antibiotic use. Thus, we aimed to determine the impact of clinical and laboratory factors on antibiotic prescribing in children and adolescents with febrile LRTI.

Methods: Pediatric patients from the standard care control group of a randomized controlled trial (ProPAED) investigating procalcitonin guided antibiotic treatment in febrile LRTI were included in a multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate the impact of laboratory and clinical factors on antibiotic prescribing.

Procalcitonin for Diagnostics and Treatment Decisions in Pediatric Lower Respiratory Tract Infections.

Mortality and morbidity remain high in pediatric lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) despite progress in research and implementation of global diagnostic and treatment strategies in the last decade. Still, 120 million annual episodes of pneumonia affect children younger than 5 years each year leading to 1.3 million fatalities with the major burden of disease carried by low- and middle-income countries (95%).

Procalcitonin guidance to reduce antibiotic treatment of lower respiratory tract infection in children and adolescents (ProPAED): a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Antibiotics are overused in children and adolescents with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). Serum-procalcitonin (PCT) can be used to guide treatment when bacterial infection is suspected. Its role in pediatric LRTI is unclear.