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PREDICTORS OF C-REACTIVE PROTEIN RESPONSE IN CHILDREN INFECTED WITH PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM MALARIA
Insights
Predictors of C-reactive protein response in children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria include fever, high parasite counts, and severe anemia. Younger children showed a greater response, indicating key factors for monitoring malaria severity.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Malaria, particularly Plasmodium falciparum, is a significant health concern in endemic regions.
- C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase reactant often elevated during infection.
- Understanding CRP response predictors in pediatric malaria is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors predicting C-reactive protein (CRP) response in children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
- To investigate the relationship between clinical and laboratory parameters and CRP levels in pediatric malaria patients.
- To enhance diagnostic and prognostic capabilities for malaria in children.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted.
- 360 children with confirmed P. falciparum malaria were compared to 360 healthy controls.
- Data on clinical signs (fever) and laboratory markers (parasite count, anemia) were collected.
Main Results:
- Fever, high malaria parasite count, and severe anemia were significant predictors of elevated CRP (≥ 10mg/l).
- Younger children exhibited a more pronounced CRP response.
- Logistic regression demonstrated good predictive values for CRP response (sensitivity 66.9%, specificity 92.1%).
Conclusions:
- Plasmodium falciparum malaria elicits a substantial C-reactive protein response in children.
- Clinical indicators like fever, hyperparasitemia, and severe anemia, especially in younger children, are associated with a significant CRP response.
- These findings aid in assessing malaria severity and patient outcomes.
Objective:
To assess the predictors of C-reactive protein response in plasmodium falciparum malaria as seen in children in a malaria endemic region of Nigeria.
Design:
A prospective cross-sectional study.
Setting:
The Children Out-patient (CHOP) Clinic, Children Emergency Unit (CHEU), Child Welfare/Growth Monitoring Clinic, Immunisation Centre and Paediatric Ward of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Uyo in Akwa-Ibom State.
Subjects:
Three hundred and sixty children aged six to sixty months with microscopically confirmed P. falciparum malaria compared with 360 healthy children without malaria parasitaemia matched for age and gender.
Results:
The predictors of the C-reactive protein response in malaria (CRP ≥ 10mg/l) were fever (t = 6.867; p = 0.001), malaria parasite count (t = 5.387; p = 0.001), severe anaemia (t = -11.23; p = 0.001) and age. Younger children had a greater CRP response. The logistic regression curve showed a 66.9% sensitivity, 92.1% specificity, positive predictive value, 83.2% and negative predictive value of 82.2% of predicting C-reactive protein response in malaria.
Conclusion:
P. falciparum malaria induces significant CRP responses. Younger children who present with fever, hyperparasitaemia and severe anaemia are more likely to have C-reactive protein response with malaria.
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