Objective To validate high serum procalcitonin (PCT) as a predictor of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children with a first febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Study design This secondary analysis of prospective hospital-based cohort studies included children ages 1 month to 4 years with a first febrile UTI. Results Of the 398 patients included in 8 centers in 7 European countries, 25% had VUR. The median PCT concentration,vas significantly higher in children with VUR than in those without: 1.6 versus 0.7 ng/ml, (P = 10(-4)). High PCT (>= 0.5 ng/ml) was' associated with VUR (OR: 2.3. 95% Cl, 1.3 to 3.9; P = 10(-3)). After adjustment for all cofactors, the association remained significant (OR: 2.5: 95% Cl, 1.4 to 4.4; P = 10(-3)). The strength of the relation increased with tire grade of reflux (P = 10(-5).). The sensitivity of procalcitonin was 75% (95% Cl, 66 to 83) for all-grade VUR and 100% (95% Cl, 81 to 100) for grade >= 4 VUR. both with 43% specificity (95% Cl, 37 to 48). Conclusions High PCT is a strong, independent and now validated predictor of VUR that can be used to identify low-risk patients and thus avoid one third of the unnecessary cystourethrographies in children with a first febrile UTI.
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