Evaluation of serum soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor in pediatric community-acquired pneumonia

ObjectiveTo assess the ability of serum soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) to predict the severity of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).BackgroundCAP is an important cause of pediatric mortality and morbidity. Elevated level of suPAR has been associated with activation of the immune system, and it may be a novel biomarker for pneumonia severity.Patients and methodsA prospective observational study was conducted on a patient group, consisting of 75 patients hospitalized for CAP, in addition to 15 healthy children as a control group. CAP severity was evaluated by Pediatric Respiratory Severity Score. The blood samples were collected within 24 h of hospital admission of patients and for all children in the control group for measurement of suPAR.ResultsThe suPAR level in the patient group was significantly higher than controls [median and range, 3798 pg/ml (395–5694) vs. 395 pg/ml (173–729); P < 0.001]. suPAR level was significantly higher in children with severe pneumonia compared with those having nonsevere pneumonia [median and range, 4430 pg/ml (586.7–5540.3) vs. 3338.5 pg/ml (395–5694.9); P < 0.021]. suPAR was negatively correlated with age, weight, and saturation of peripheral oxygen (rs = 0.31, 0.32, and -0.24, and P = 0.007, 0.004, and 0.041, respectively) but positively correlated with respiratory rate and pulse (rs = 0.24 and 0.26, and P = 0.041 and 0.027, respectively).ConclusionsuPAR is a marker of pediatric CAP and can be used for prediction of CAP severity.