Is Serum Troponin-I Evaluation Necessary in Pediatric Emergency Departments? Single Center Experience

Authors : Aysun Tekeli, Muhammet Furkan Kalın, Şeyma Kayalı

Pages : 839-845

Doi:10.54005/geneltip.1533661

View : 61 | Download : 81

Publication Date : 2024-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Abstract: Aim: Troponin, a structural protein of myocardial cells, is frequently used in adult patient management as an indicator of cardiac damage. Despite the growing interest in using cardiac biomarkers in pediatric patients, there is no established guideline for its routine use in clinical practices. In this study, we aimed to retrospectively evaluate the demographic characteristics, symptoms, examinations and follow-up results of patients who applied to the pediatric emergency service with various clinical complaints and requested troponin levels, and the role of serum troponin levels in diagnosis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the demographic characteristics, symptoms, examinations, examinations and follow-ups of patients aged 1 month to 18 years, who applied to our pediatric emergency department and required troponin levels over a two-year period. Results: Out of the 1890 patients included in the study, 50.9% were female, and their mean age was 12.36±4.32 years. The most common reasons for requesting cardiac troponin were chest pain (59.1%), poisoning (10%), palpitations (8.3%), and syncope (7%). Only 55 (2.9%) of the cardiac troponin tests were found to be elevated based on the normal reference range. Among the patients with elevated troponin levels, chest pain was the most frequently observed complaint (n=29, 52.7%). On further examination, 5 patients were diagnosed with myocarditis and 2 patients with MIS-C, while the most common noncardiac cause of troponin elevation was carbon monoxide poisoning. Conclusions: Performing troponin tests in patients with suspected cardiac pathology based on their medical history, physical examination, and electrocardiography is necessary to reduce unnecessary testing and costs. Additionally, interpreting troponin levels should take into account the patient’s overall clinical evaluation
Keywords : çocuk, çocuk acil, kardiyak, kardiyak dışı, troponin