C-reactive protein in the evaluation of febrile illness in children suffering from respiratory tract infection

ABSTRACT

Thirty two children [18 males and 14 females] of 2-6 years old were included in this study. They were choosen from inpatient pediatric department of El-Zaharaa University Hospital. They were complaining from upper respiratory tract [URTI] or lower respiratory tract infection [LRTI] or both associated with fever since 2-4 days before admission. Full histories together with through clinical examination were carried out. No therapeutic treatment was given until blood sample was taken for routine laboratory tests which includes total white blood cell count [WBC] differential and erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]. C-reactive protein was done to determine the diagnostic value of its serum estimation before and after effective therapeutic treatment for 7 days. We found that WBC, differential counts and ESR were of limited help and not conclusive for the diagnosis of RTI. Serum CRP was positive in all cases [p<0.001]. One week after treatment ten cases [31.25%] became CRP nrgative [p>0.05]. Two patients died, one from group E. and other from F. The rest of patients [20 i.e. 66.67%] CRP decreases [p<0.01]. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive accuracy of this test were 93.75%, 100%, 100% respectively