Correlations of Prealbumin, Procalcitonin, and Brain Natriuretic Peptide with Acute Respiratory Infection in Children.

Background: We aimed to investigate the correlations of prealbumin (PA), procalcitonin (PCT) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) with acute respiratory infection (ARI) in children.

Methods: A total of 120 children with ARI admitted from June 2021 through June 2023 were selected (an infection group) and divided into a bacteria group (n = 50) and a virus group (n = 70) according to the results of bacterial culture and serum test. Another 90 healthy children who underwent physical examination in the same period were selected as a control group. The levels of serum PA, PCT, and BNP were compared among the three groups.

Results: Compared with the bacteria group, the virus group had an increased PA level (p < 0.05), and decreased PCT and BNP levels (p < 0.05). After treatment, the PA level increased (p < 0.05), while the PCT and BNP levels decreased compared with those before treatment (p < 0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the combined detection of PA, PCT, and BNP was 0.919, larger than those of PA, PCT, or BNP alone (0.638, 0.902, and 0.713). In bacteria and virus groups, PA had significant negative correlations with PCT (r = -0.532 and -0.541, p < 0.05), but significant positive correlations with BNP (r = 0.604 and 0.526, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Combined detection of serum PA, PCT, and BNP levels has high diagnostic efficacy for ARI in children, and PA has significant correlations with PCT and BNP.