Serum Procalcitonin Level is a Useful Predictor of Dilating Vesicoureteral Refl ux in Patients with First Febrile Urinary Tract Infection

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) has been proposed as a novel biomarker for prediction of Vesicoureteral Refl ux (VUR). Since VUR is the most important risk factor for occurrence of pyelonephritis and renal tissue infl ammation, serum PCT level may have a relationship with VUR. However, literature about the relationship between procalcitonin level and VUR is scanty. Aim: We evaluated the predictive value of serum PCT level in the diagnosis of VUR in children admitted with their fi rst febrile UTI. Methods: We investigated 140 children with the fi rst febrile UTI (2m-10 yrs.). Serum PCT was measured before initiation of antibiotics. Standard voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) was performed in all children as the gold standard for detection of VUR. Sensitivity and specifi city of a high PCT level was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve.