Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant of which little is known in malaria, especially in central Africa.
Methods: In this prospective study CRP was measured in children with suspected malaria.
Results: Of 346 children, 234 had positive and 112 negative malaria microscopy. Their median CRP was 140 mg/L (IQR 88) vs 69 mg/L (IQR 129; p<0.001) respectively. CRP was positively correlated with parasitemia (p<0.001), and length of hospital stay (p=0.01), and negatively with thrombocyte count (p=0.01), and hemoglobin level (p=0.01).
Conclusion: C-reactive protein increases in malaria and correlates with parasitemia and some manifestations of complicated disease.
Keywords: C-reactive protein; Child; Developing country; Luanda; Malaria.
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