LAUSR

Introduction: Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a serious infection characterized by inflammation of themeninges, causing a high rate of acute complications in children. This research aimed to explain the effect ofprocalcitonin (PCT) in BM and its correlation with the others some inflammatory biomarkers.Method: The case-control study included Fifty children who were diagnosed with suspected bacterialmeningitis associated with febrile seizure according to the clinical investigation by specialized pediatricianand analysis of CSF and Forty children were enrolled as healthy control. The inflammatory biomarkersprocalcitonin, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) were estimated for eachparticipants in addition to measurement of CBC(complete blood count) by using an automated instrument.Results: Patients have significantly higher serum levels of PRO, CRP, ESR, total WBC count, ANC, andNLR than the control group. Elevating serum PRO and CRP levels in patients group were significantlyassociated with increased serum ANC levels. A significant relationship was also observed between PRO andNLR, indicating that the PRO, CRP and NLR had a suitable biomarkers in the diagnosis of BM.Conclusion: Serum procalcitonin is more specific and sensitive inflammatory biomarkers than the NLR andCRP for the evaluation of suspected bacterial meningitis, so the recommended to use PCT assays in the earlydiagnosis of children with BM.