All issues > Volume 19(4); 1976

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1976;19(4):272-277. Published online April 30, 1976.

A Study of Serum CRP During the First Week of Life

Jong Ju Kim¹

¹Dept, of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Busan National University

Abstract

Determinations of serum C-reactive protein were performed on peripheral blood specimens of 34 non-infected and 22 infected infants during the first week of life. The average frequency of positive CRP was 38.8% in non-infected fullterm and 44.6% in non-infected premature infants, but the difference of positive rate was not significant. The peak incidence of positive CRP was noted on 4 th day in fullterm and on the 2 nd postnatal day in non-infected premature infants. The difference in positive rate of serum CRP was significant between infected and non infected groups, but not significant between fullterm and premature groups. The intensity of the positive reactions in the majority of the non-infected groups was not greater than 1 mm, whereas 2 mm or more in those newborns with infections. Among the infected groups, the more severe the infection, the greater the intensity of the positive reactions. It is suggested that CRP is not transferred across the placental barrier. In conclusion, serum CRP determination, serum CRP determination can be a valuable diagnostic aid in infections during the first week of life when the usual laboratory methods are not helpful.

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