C-reactive Protein (CRP) in Conjunction with CBC Haematological Parameters as an Early Diagnostic Marker in the Diagnosis of Sepsis in Pediatric Age Group

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic utility of C- reactive protein (CRP) in combination with hematological parameters of CBC as early diagnostic marker in detection infections in children.

Methods: The present study was a hospital based cross-sectional study which was carried out among the Children who presented to the Paediatric OPD or Inpatients attending RIMS, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India from Jan 2018 to December 2018. All the Children who presented to paediatric OPD or admitted to Paediatric ward with history suggestive of Infection were included in the study. The study included 200 children attending pediatric OPD / Inpatients.

Results: Majority of the children 152 (76%) belonged to Under 5 age group. Out of 200, 120 (60%) were boys and 80 (40%) were girls. It was observed there was mean difference observed between the groups of Widal positive children and Widal negative children for all the components of the Complete Blood Count and it was statistically significant for Packed Cell Volume, Eosinophil Count and Platelet Count. It was observed that, there was mean difference observed between the groups of CRP positive children and CRP negative children for all the components of the Complete Blood Count and it was statistically significant for all its components except Monocytes and Eosinophils.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the findings of the present study confirm that the serum levels of CRP in combination with WBC counts and other hematological parameters are better indicators of infection in the early diagnosis of sepsis in childhood than isolated use of CBC and it also aids in the evaluation of the response of the disease to the antibiotic therapy.

Keywords: Sepsis, CRP, CBC, Children