Predictors of C-reactive Protein Response in Children Infected with Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria.

OBJECTIVE To assess the predictors of C-reactive protein response in plasmodium falciparum malaria as seen in children in a malaria endemic region of Nigeria. DESIGN A prospective cross-sectional study. SETTING The Children Out-patient (CHOP) Clinic, Children Emergency Unit (CHEU), Child Welfare/Growth Monitoring Clinic, Immunisation Centre and Paediatric Ward of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Uyo in Akwa-Ibom State. SUBJECTS Three hundred and sixty children aged six to sixty months with microscopically confirmed P. falciparum malaria compared with 360 healthy children without malaria parasitaemia matched for age and gender. RESULTS The predictors of the C-reactive protein response in malaria (CRP ≥ 10mg/l) were fever (t = 6.867; p = 0.001), malaria parasite count (t = 5.387; p = 0.001), severe anaemia (t = -11.23; p = 0.001) and age. Younger children had a greater CRP response. The logistic regression curve showed a 66.9% sensitivity, 92.1% specificity, positive predictive value, 83.2% and negative predictive value of 82.2% of predicting C-reactive protein response in malaria. CONCLUSION P. falciparum malaria induces significant CRP responses. Younger children who present with fever, hyperparasitaemia and severe anaemia are more likely to have C-reactive protein response with malaria.