Value of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in childhood fever conditions

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) measurement is used to orientate the diagnosis of an inflammation especially in childhood febrish diseases. A retrospective study was carried out at the pediatric service of the General hospital of Befelatanana in Antananarivo for 48 months (1997-1998). The population of this study was continued of 361 patients taken from 714 febrish children. 384 CRP were performed. The initial CRP measurement allowed to differentiate 152 presumed bacterial infections: 49 respiratory tract infections, 62 in neurological pathology, 10 in digestive pathology, 19 in otorhinolaryngology pathology, 12 in urinary pathology, and 153 presumed viral infections: 86 respiratory tract infections, 29 in neurological pathology, 12 in digestive pathology, 26 in otorhinolaryngology pathology. There was a right correlation of CRP values and leukocyte levels in presumed bacterial infections. Specificity and sensibility of the test applied in different child febrish diseases were satisfactory. CRP measurement is easy and rapid to perform. It is useful and seems to be the appropriate method to diagnose childhood febrish diseases in countries where facilities are insufficient and financial possibilities limited.