C-reactive protein and radiographic findings of lower respiratory tract infection in infants.

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C-reactive protein and radiographic findings of lower respiratory tract infection in infants.

World J Radiol. 2017 Apr 28;9(4):206-211

Authors: Twomey M, Fleming H, Moloney F, Murphy KP, Crush L, O'Neill SB, Flanagan O, James K, Bogue C, O'Connor OJ, Maher MM

Abstract
AIM: To evaluate the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) and radiological evidence of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in infants.
METHODS: All patients aged less than 4 years who presented with suspected lower respiratory tract infection, who received a peri-presentation chest radiograph and CRP blood measurement over an 18-mo period were included in the study. Age, gender, source of referral, CRP, white cell count, neutrophil count along with the patients' symptoms and radiologist's report were recorded.
RESULTS: Three hundred and eleven patients met the inclusion criteria. Abnormal chest radiographs were more common in patients with elevated CRP levels (P < 0.01). Radiologic signs of LRTI were identified in 73.7% of chest radiographs when a patient had a CRP level between 50-99 mg/L. CRP levels were a better predictor of positive chest radiograph findings for those aged greater than I year compared to those 1 year or less.
CONCLUSION: CRP may be used in patients with suspected LRTI diagnosis to select those who are likely to have positive findings on chest radiograph, thus reducing unnecessary chest radiographs.

PMID: 28529684 [PubMed - in process]

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