Serum Procalcitonin Level for Prediction of High-grade Vesicoureteral Reflux in Urinary Tract Infection

Procalcitonin is a reliable and specific marker of bacterial infections such as urinary tract infection. Some authors suggest measurement of serum procalcitonin as a predictor of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). We investigated this association in children admitted because of acute pyelonephritis. Forty-eight children with the first febrile urinary tract infection were included. Twelve patients had low-grade VUR, 9 patients had high-grade VUR, and 27 patients did not have any VUR in their imaging assessment. There was a significant association between high-grade VUR and higher levels of procalcitonin (P =. 04). The sensitivity of a procalcitonin level of 0.31 ng/mL or greater was 90% and the specificity was 32% for diagnosis of high-grade VUR. We concluded that serum procalcitonin concentration is a sensitive and promising predictor of high-grade VUR.