Might procalcitonin help predict imported falciparum malaria in children?

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) has been proposed as a marker for malaria severity in adults, with a threshold of 10 ng/ml for severe falciparum disease. Whether PCT is useful in children is debated.

Patients & Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted to compare initial PCT levels in children with uncomplicated malaria and a control group, and between children with uncomplicated and severe malaria.