COMPARISON OF C-REACTIVE PROTEIN WITH CULTURE AMONG CHILDREN WITH FEVER WITHOUT FOCUS BETWEEN 1 TO 36 MONTHS OF AGE

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of raised C-reactive protein and positive culture, and to compare raised C-reactive protein with positive culture among children presenting with fever with and without focus.

METHODOLOGY

This cross-sectional study was carried out in Indus hospital Karachi and included 171 pediatric participants within the age range of 1 to 36 months who had presented with fever of 38^oC or more in duration of 48-120 hours with no identifiable cause. A non-probability consecutive sampling strategy was utilized, and demographic, clinical, C-reactive protein (CRP) and culture data was methodically obtained. The quantification of CRP was carried out using the turbidimetric immunological methodology with cultures achieved on the standards basis. The data obtained was analyzed by SPSS version 26, where the acceptance level of the significance was at a P value of 0.05 or less.

RESULTS

The sample included 171 children aged between 1 and 36 months (the mean was 16.68 8.75 months; 48.5% were males). The percentage of the participants with an increased CRP (>6 mg/dL) was 26.3. There was no significant association with blood culture (p=0.863) and a significant association was noted with urine culture (p=0.009).

CONCLUSION

This research suggests that C -reactive protein is not closely related with blood culture outcomes but is significantly correlated with positive urine cultures in children between the ages of 1 month and 36 months presenting with fever without focus. Although not diagnostic in blood stream infections, CRP can still become an important early marker of urinary tract infections, which makes it an effective means of directing specific tests and enhancing the success of a diagnosis in cases of pediatric febrile illness.