Objective To explore the diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in children with bacterial infections. Methods A total of 125 children with suspected bacterial infection from January 1, 2021 to July 1, 2023 were selected as the research objects. According to the results of bacteriological culture, they were divided into positive group (n=67) and negative group (n=58). The levels of PCT and IL-6 in the two groups were detected by immunofluorescence method and electrochemiluminescence method respectively. The levels of PCT and IL-6 in the two groups were compared under different types of infected bacteria and at different time points, and ROC curves were drawn. Result At admission, the levels of PCT and IL-6 in the positive group were higher than those in the negative group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=6.512, 3.861, both P<0.001), and after 7 days of treatment, the levels of PCT and IL-6 in the positive group were significantly reduced compared to those at admission and gradually approached the negative group, the difference was statistically significant (t=22.634, 13.406, both P<0.001); The levels of PCT and IL-6 was significantly higher than those of Gram positive bacteria, and the difference in bacteria was statistically significant (t=3.125, 2.521, both P<0.001); those ROC curve analysis showed that the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of PCT for children with bacterial infections were 71.64% and 81.03% respectively, AUC=0.800 (0.719~0.866), and the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of IL-6 for children with bacterial infections were 65.52% and 68.66% respectively, AUC=0.687 (0.598~0.767). Conclusion PCT and IL-6 have high diagnostic value in the diagnosis of bacterial infections, and the operation method is simple and feasible, which can effectively distinguish the type of infection in children with bacterial infections and provide a certain laboratory basis for diagnosis.