A simple blood test may spot hidden infections in kids with cancer

This pilot study asks whether a blood marker called procalcitonin can help predict bacteremia—a serious bacterial infection in the blood—in children with cancer who develop a fever. Currently, doctors rely on blood cultures, which can take up to 48 hours or give false negatives. The study will measure procalcitonin levels at admission, 12 hours, and 24 hours later in febrile pediatric oncology patients, with and without neutropenia, to see if elevated levels point to bacteremia. If successful, this could lead to fewer hospitalizations and less unnecessary antibiotic treatment.