International Journal of Tropical Medicine
ISSN: Online 1818-779XISSN: Print 1816-3319
Abstract
Pediatric tonsillitis is a common condition requiring accurate diagnosis to guide appropriate treatment and prevent complications. Biomarkers such as Neutrophil‐to‐Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Serum Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and C‐Reactive Protein (CRP) have shown promise in differentiating bacterial from viral infections, but their diagnostic utility in pediatric tonsillitis remains under explored. To evaluate the diagnostic value of NLR, IL‐6, and CRP in distinguishing bacterial from viral tonsillitis in pediatric patients and to analyze their correlation with disease severity. A prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of ENT, Mamata Medical College, in collaboration with the Department of Biochemistry. Fifty pediatric patients aged 5‐15 years with a clinical diagnosis of tonsillitis were enrolled. Data on demographic characteristics, clinical history and associated symptoms were collected. NLR, IL‐6 and CRP were analyzed. Throat swab cultures were performed to confirm bacterial etiology. Data were analyzed for mean, standard deviation and diagnostic accuracy using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. The study demonstrated that NLR (Mean: 6.8±1.8) was significantly higher in bacterial tonsillitis (8.2) compared to viral cases (5.4). IL‐6 levels (Mean: 35.4±8.6 pg/mL) and CRP levels (Mean: 12.8±3.2 mg/L) were also markedly elevated in bacterial infections. Group A Streptococcus was identified in 70% of bacterial cases. NLR and IL‐6 showed the strongest diagnostic accuracy, emphasizing their utility as reliable tools for distinguishing bacterial tonsillitis. NLR, IL‐6 and CRP are valuable tools for differentiating bacterial from viral tonsillitis in pediatric patients. These biomarkers, alongside microbiological analysis, enhance diagnostic precision and can aid in guiding appropriate treatment strategies. Future research should focus on establishing standardized cutoff values for these markers.
How to cite this article:
P. Balaji, S. Agni Vishnu Sailesh, M. Bhaskara Rao and B. Nageshwar Rao. Diagnostic Value of Neutrophil‐to‐Lymphocyte Ratio, Serum Interleukin‐6 and CRP in Pediatric Tonsillitis.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makijtm.2025.1.49.53
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1816-3319/10.36478/makijtm.2025.1.49.53