Supplementary file 1_Identifying the thresholds of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and

37 studies were included in a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine diagnostic thresholds for C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in children ≤36 months old with fever without source. The work was authored by Natalia Sutiman and published on figshare in March 2026. It synthesizes evidence from studies published between November 2013 and November 2023.

Use Cases

• Identifying optimal biomarker cut-off values for serious bacterial infection (SBI) prediction based on reported sensitivity and specificity.
• Comparing the diagnostic performance of CRP, PCT, and IL-6 based on the reported area under the curve (AUC) metrics.
• Informing clinical decision rules for fever management in young children based on the pooled analysis of 37 studies.

Strengths

• Analysis is based on data from 37 distinct studies, providing a substantial evidence base.
• Reports specific, statistically significant cut-off values with confidence intervals (e.g., CRP 10–20 mg/L, PCT <0.5 ng/mL).
• The systematic review methodology is documented and registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023439093).

Limitations

• The primary data file is a 6.6 KB DOCX document, suggesting limited raw data or a summary report rather than an extensive dataset.
• Column-level documentation and sample data are unavailable, making direct computational use difficult.
• Only one study was available for IL-6, limiting the generalizability of conclusions for that biomarker.

Provenance

Source

Natalia Sutiman via figshare.

Collection Method

Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies from MEDLINE, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Web of Science.

Time Range

Studies published between November 2013 and November 2023.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-18 07:41:08; freshness should be verified.