How to use C-reactive protein (CRP)- Review https://ep.bmj.com/content/early/2018/07/19/archdischild-2018-315079


 - An CRP alone cannot be used to rule in/out a serious bacterial 

infection. As with any infection biomarker the clinical context is 

vital. In children attending ED the CRP level does correlate with 

the likelhood of serious bacterial infection. 
 - Blood cultures alone only identify around 70-75% of invasive 

bacterial infections. Serial normal CRPs perform favoruably 

compared with blood culture alone. 
 - A single CRP measurement demonstrates a poor 

diagnostic accuracy for bacterial infection in new-borns and infants under 3 

monthsof age and should not be used in isolation to guide intial 

treatment. 


By Emma Dyer

@EmmaMDyer, Tom @DrTomWaterfield, Hannah Baynes

@HLB27


#CRP #CReactiveProtein #VisualAbstract #Review #Peds #Pediatrics #Diagnosis #Laboratory #Utility