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World J Clin Pediatr. Mar 9, 2026; 15(1): 111999
Published online Mar 9, 2026. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v15.i1.111999
Published online Mar 9, 2026. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v15.i1.111999
Role of biomarkers in pediatric sepsis: What evidence says?
Amit Agrawal, Department of Pediatrics, Gandhi Medical College, Hamidia Hospital Campus, Bhopal 462001, Madhya Pradesh, India
Dalwinder Janjua, Department of Neonatology, Latifa Women and Children Hospital, Dubai 7662, United Arab Emirates
Gaurav Jadon, Department of Pediatrics, Mediclinic Welcare Hospital, Dubai 31500, United Arab Emirates
Author contributions: Agrawal A was responsible for concept, manuscript review, manuscript editing, and revising the article critically for important intellectual content; Janjua D and Jadon G were responsible for acquisition and interpretation of data, drafting the article, and literature review; all the authors approved the final manuscript (and any substantially modified version that involves the author's contribution to the study).
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Corresponding author: Amit Agrawal, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Gandhi Medical College, Hamidia Hospital Campus, 49-B Indrapuri, B-Sector, Bhopal 462001, Madhya Pradesh, India. agrawaldramit@yahoo.co.in
Received: July 15, 2025
Revised: August 27, 2025
Accepted: November 14, 2025
Published online: March 9, 2026
Processing time: 234 Days and 16 Hours
Revised: August 27, 2025
Accepted: November 14, 2025
Published online: March 9, 2026
Processing time: 234 Days and 16 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Sepsis is common in hospitalized pediatric patients, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Routine laboratory investigations cannot always identify the cause of diseases, and many biomarkers have been used to detect these infections. This review analyses the available evidence supporting the use of biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein, ferritin, lactate, procalcitonin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The sensitivity of each marker varied in different studies, and no single biomarker can be used to identify all infections. Apart from the diagnosis, studies have assessed the role of these biomarkers in optimizing antibiotic therapy to promote early recovery.