Evaluating Uncommon Inflammatory Markers in Common Pediatric Bacterial Infections. WMJ 2026;125(2):276-279
Date
06/08/2026Pubmed ID
42258655Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105042015063 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
BACKGROUND: Expected ranges for several inflammatory markers in children were poorly defined during the COVID-19 pandemic, making it difficult to distinguish common infections from multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). We evaluated less commonly obtained inflammatory markers in children with common bacterial infections.
METHODS: We completed a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary children's hospital from March 2018 through April 2023 of hospitalized patients >60 days to 21 years with cellulitis, community-acquired pneumonia, or urinary tract infection.
RESULTS: A total of 973 patients were included (median age, 5.6 years; interquartile range, 1.9-12.2; 61% female). Most inflammatory markers were elevated across infections, whereas troponin levels remained within the reference range for all diagnoses.
DISCUSSION: We report values for less commonly obtained inflammatory markers in children hospitalized with common bacterial infections. Normal troponin levels may help distinguish these infections from MIS-C, which more commonly involves cardiac inflammation. Further research is needed to define clinically useful cutoff values for inflammatory markers to aid decision-making in the setting of emerging disease processes.
Author List
McKinney CM, Mitchell ML, Preloger E, Graff K, Pan AY, Liegl M, Bushee G, McFadden V, Corey Bauer SAuthors
Sarah Bauer MD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinErin M. Preloger MD Interim Chief, Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentBacterial Infections
Biomarkers
Cellulitis
Child
Child, Preschool
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Humans
Infant
Male
Retrospective Studies
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
Troponin
Urinary Tract Infections
