•  
  •  
 

Subject Area

Ophthalmology

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective To assess the ability of serum soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) to predict the severity of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Background CAP is an important cause of pediatric mortality and morbidity. Elevated level of suPAR has been associated with activation of the immune system, and it may be a novel biomarker for pneumonia severity. Patients and methods A prospective observational study was conducted on a patient group, consisting of 75 patients hospitalized for CAP, in addition to 15 healthy children as a control group. CAP severity was evaluated by Pediatric Respiratory Severity Score. The blood samples were collected within 24 h of hospital admission of patients and for all children in the control group for measurement of suPAR. Results The suPAR level in the patient group was significantly higher than controls [median and range, 3798 pg/ml (395–5694) vs. 395 pg/ml (173–729); P < 0.001]. suPAR level was significantly higher in children with severe pneumonia compared with those having nonsevere pneumonia [median and range, 4430 pg/ml (586.7–5540.3) vs. 3338.5 pg/ml (395–5694.9); P < 0.021]. suPAR was negatively correlated with age, weight, and saturation of peripheral oxygen (rs = 0.31, 0.32, and -0.24, and P = 0.007, 0.004, and 0.041, respectively) but positively correlated with respiratory rate and pulse (rs = 0.24 and 0.26, and P = 0.041 and 0.027, respectively). Conclusion suPAR is a marker of pediatric CAP and can be used for prediction of CAP severity.

Download

Share

COinS