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[Significance of C-reactive protein in pediatric diagnosis]
Insights
C-reactive protein (CRP) testing in infants and children is a valuable tool for evaluating infections and inflammation. CRP levels offer faster, more reliable insights than erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and should be a standard diagnostic measure.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Chemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein synthesized by the liver.
- Elevated CRP levels are indicative of inflammation and infection in the body.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diagnostic utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) in pediatric populations.
- To compare the efficacy of CRP testing with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
- Data from serum C-reactive protein determinations in 9100 infants and children were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Quantitative CRP estimations are effective for screening infections and monitoring inflammatory activity in chronic diseases.
- CRP levels correlate with ESR but offer faster dynamics and are unaffected by anemia or renal issues.
- Significant CRP elevations can aid in distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections.
Conclusions:
- Serum CRP determination is a crucial addition to standard investigations for acutely and chronically ill children.
- CRP testing provides a more dynamic and reliable inflammatory marker compared to ESR in pediatric patients.
Abstract:
The present review summarizes the results of C-reactive protein determinations in the serum of 9100 infants and children and gives a survey on data presented in the literature. Quantitative estimations of CRP are a useful screening method for the evaluation of infections and the activity of inflammatory processes in chronic diseases. In a variety of diseases CRP correlates well with erythrocyte sedimentation rate. CRP is, however, superior to ESR in showing faster dynamics and being uninfluenced by anemia, nephrotic syndrome or renal insufficiency. Marked elevations of CRP concentration may help to differentiate between viral and bacterial infections. It can be concluded that the determination of CRP in the serum must be added to the list of standard investigations in acutely and chronically ill infants and children.