The Rate of C-reactive Protein (CRP) Increase as a Marker for Bacterial Infections in Children

• Conditions: Bacterial Infections; Viral Infection

• Registration Number: NCT01159470
• Lead Sponsor: Shaare Zedek Medical Center

Brief Summary

Fever is one of the most common problems in pediatrics. Differentiating between bacterial infections, that require antibiotic therapy, and viral infections that resolve on their own is an important challenge for physicians.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein that increases in response to inflammation and its level is generally higher in bacterial infections compared to viral infections. it can be measured by a simple blood test, however its utility as a sole marker for bacterial infection is limited.

The hypothesis of the study is that measuring CRP velocity, e.g the value of CRP divided by the hours since the fever started will improve the utility of CRP for the diagnosis of bacterial infections in children.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2010-07
• Study First Submitted: 2010-07-08
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-07-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2010-07-08
• Study First Posted: 2010-07-09
• Last Update Posted: 2010-07-09
• Study Start: 2010-09
• Primary Completion: 2011-09
• Study Completion: 2011-09

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 200

Inclusion Criteria

• children less than 5 years of age,
• children with no comorbidities and fever > 38 for at least 24 hours, and
• children with no previous antibiotic therapy.

Exclusion Criteria

• HIV,
• immunosuppressive conditions,
• antibiotic therapy.

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified