Utility of immature granulocyte count in differentiating between pyelonephritis and cystitis in pediatric patients

Abstract

Aims: Immature granulocyte (IG) is an easily accessible and inexpensive test that can be measured in hemogram parameters without additional analysis. It can be used in differentiation because of its practical applicability. This study aimed to investigate the role of IG count and inflammation-related complete blood count (CBC) parameters in differentiating between cystitis (CYS) and pyelonephritis (PYL) in pediatric patients. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data from 79 pediatric patients (40 with PYL and 39 with CYS) who presented at a hospital pediatric outpatient clinic between January 2020 - February 2021. In addition to clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory and urinalysis results were evaluated. Laboratory analyses focused on IG count, IG percentage, and all hemogram parameters. Results: No significant demographic differences were observed between the PYL and CYS groups (p>0.05). IG counts, and C-reactive protein levels significantly differed between the two conditions (p<0.001). IG count was identified as an independent factor for distinguishing between PYL and CYS, with a sensitivity of 89.5% and a specificity of 92.6% (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The IG count, an easily accessible and cost-effective test, is valuable in differentiating PYL and CYS (p<0.001). This finding holds promising implications for the prompt and accurate diagnosis of these conditions in pediatric patients.

Keywords

• Immature granulocyte
• C-reactive protein
• pyelonephritis
• cystitis

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