Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 54 8 2025 09 02 1667 1677 Chuanze Hu Pediatric Department Ward 1, Jinhua Maternal & Child Health Care Hospital, Jinhua, 321000, China Yaping Xu Neonatal Ward, Jinhua Maternal & Child Health Care Hospital, Jinhua, 321000, China Fang Sheng Pediatric Department Ward 1, Jinhua Maternal & Child Health Care Hospital, Jinhua, 321000, China Buqing Chen Pediatric Department Ward 1, Jinhua Maternal; Child Health Care Hospital, Jinhua, 321000,China Limei Cao Pediatric Department Ward 1, Jinhua Maternal & Child Health Care Hospital, Jinhua, 321000, China 2024 09 28 2024 12 15 Background: This study aimed to investigate the differential diagnostic value of CRP and PCT in distinguishing viral and Mycoplasma pneumonia infections in children with respiratory tract infections. Methods: A total of 13 relevant articles (12 of relatively high quality) were included after quality evaluation, through a literature search. Meta-analysis and SROC curve evaluation were performed. Results: The pooled sensitivity and specificity of CRP diagnosis were 0.91 (95% CI: 0.893-0.937) and 0.4815 (95% CI: 0.440-0.523), respectively, and the area under the SROC curve was 0.699. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of PCT were 68.92% (95% CI: 64.9%-72.7%) and 50.00% (95% CI: 45.6%-54.4%), respectively, and the area under the curve was 0.595. Conclusion: CRP demonstrated higher sensitivity, while PCT showed relatively better specificity. Using both together could improve diagnostic performance. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/36754 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/36754/8622