C-reactive protein is a catalyst for various biochemical processes that occur in the body of an individual. It is called a kind of marker of any inflammatory process. It appears about five hours after the onset of pathological changes. An increase in C-reactive protein can be detected using a conventional biochemical blood test, which allows you to take the necessary therapeutic measures in a timely manner.
general information
C-reactive protein is produced in the liver, it has an activating effect on the human immune system. The onset of inflammation is characterized by the production of interleukins, which provoke the synthesis of reactive protein by the liver. The protein has the ability to attach to the surface of harmful microorganisms, and thereby helps the immune system to trigger reactions aimed at combating the pathogen. Protection of the body from the negative influence of pathogenic microbes is due to the fact that reactive protein binds to decay products directly in areas of damaged tissues.
So, an increase in C-reactive protein means the presence of inflammation, but does not make it possible to establish the causes of this phenomenon. Analysis on this indicator never gives false positive results. It is recommended to conduct it simultaneously with the ESR test. In addition, according to the results of studies on C-reactive protein, evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing antibiotic therapy. A significant increase is observed in malignant neoplasms, lymphoma, leukemia, diabetes mellitus, as well as after operations and injuries.
Norms of C-reactive protein (mg / l)
Regardless of gender and age, acceptable indicators range from 0 to 5. In newborns, the norm is up to 15. This phenomenon is associated with a high concentration of hormonal substances that are transmitted to the baby through the placenta from the mother. As they are eliminated, the level of CRP decreases. This happens during the first days after birth. When a child's C-reactive protein is elevated and does not decrease, then this is an alarming sign and indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in a baby. This protein is always present, but in some cases it may not be determined in the laboratory. However, this does not mean at all that it does not exist; reactive protein is available in exactly the amount that is necessary for chemical reactions associated with fat metabolism. An increase in C-reactive protein in the blood can occur under the influence of certain factors, as well as a number of changes in the body of the individual:
- if for several days, before passing the analysis there were great physical exertion;
- overweight;
- protein diet;
- smoking;
- depressive state;
- the use of hormonal contraceptives;
- insomnia;
- pregnancy.
Reasons for high level of CRP
This indicator is considered the so-called indicator of problems encountered in the body, since its overestimated level is observed in various pathological conditions. The causes of increased reactive protein are the same in both children and adults. The exception is newborn babies. In them, it may not appear even with sepsis. This phenomenon is associated with insufficient liver function and its inability to produce protein. If an excessive concentration of reactive protein in the blood is detected, antimicrobial therapy is indicated.
For example, when babies suffer from measles, chickenpox or rubella, the level of this protein is significantly higher than permissible values. The decrease occurs immediately after recovery. Increased C-reactive protein in the blood after surgery indicates infection of the child. The development of complications is indicated by high CRP figures in the analyzes, despite antibiotic treatment. However, if the recovery period is normal, the protein concentration decreases quite sharply. In addition, the reasons for the high concentration of reactive protein are:
- tuberculosis;
- inflammatory processes in the acute and chronic stage;
- injuries: burns, wounds, fractures;
- bacterial and viral infections;
- myocardial infarction;
- Ischemic heart disease;
- hypertension;
- parasitic infections;
- autoimmune diseases - Crohn's disease, lupus erythematosus and others;
- pathologies of the endocrine system, for example, obesity, diabetes mellitus;
- oncological diseases;
- necrosis;
- arthritis;
- meningitis;
- hormonal disbalance;
- taking certain medications (hormones, NSAIDs).
The degree of increase in the level of reactive protein in the human body
There are several main reasons for the increase in C-reactive protein: arterial pathology, inflammation and oncology. Each of these groups includes a huge number of pathologies. You can navigate in them according to the degree of increase in C-reactive protein (unit of measurement - mg / l):
- Less than 19 - possible in any condition. With a constantly overestimated level, it is necessary to exclude oncology and autoimmune diseases.
- From 20 to 50 - such values are characteristic of viral diseases, for example, rotavirus, herpetic or adenovirus infection, mononucleosis.
- More than 100 - occurs in bacterial infections: salmonellosis, pyelonephritis, pneumonia.
It should be remembered that the above ranges of reactive protein levels are very arbitrary. For example, in a patient with sepsis, this figure may not exceed 6 units, and in an individual with exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis, it may be higher than 100. The initial stage of any inflammatory process is characterized by an increase in protein concentration at times.
Causes of increased C-reactive protein in children
One of the most dangerous conditions for children under the age of ten is the infectious processes that occur in the body. Serious chronic organ pathologies in young patients do not have time to develop, therefore, with an increased reactive protein in a child, infection should first be excluded. In children, pathogenic bacteria most often affect the respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal tract. Pathological conditions are acute or develop for a long time, provoking chronic forms. Parasitic diseases also act as provocateurs of increased reactive protein in the blood of a child. Diseases that provoke an increase in the concentration of CRP:
- salmonellosis;
- pneumonia;
- tonsillitis;
- gastritis
- pneumonia;
- dysentery;
- ARVI;
- sinusitis.
In the absence of characteristic signs of any disease, the most common among small patients are first excluded, and then they are searching for other causes that caused an increase in protein concentration. After establishing the exact cause, the doctor will prescribe a comprehensive treatment.
Features of increased concentration of CRP in childhood
If C-reactive protein (CRP) is elevated in a child, then this phenomenon is not always a pathology, since the body of babies is very sensitive to various environmental factors and stresses. In addition, they are often naughty. In older children, the detection of CRP above the norm also does not always cause danger, and the reason for the increase lies in the following:
- teething;
- stress;
- screaming or crying for a long period;
- side effect on taking the drug "Paracetamol";
- with a lack of trace elements and vitamins in the body.
Serious pathological conditions in the baby may also be the reason for the increase in C-reactive protein. It:
- infectious, for example, whooping cough, sinusitis, pneumonia, cystitis, rubella, tuberculosis, meningitis and others;
- toxic or food poisoning;
- infection with giardia, roundworm, echinococcosis;
- neoplasms of a benign or malignant nature;
- cysts of various etiologies;
- extensive wounds;
- damage;
- fractures
- allergic manifestations.
An increase in C-reactive protein in a child of no more than four weeks of age to 12 units indicates sepsis. Regardless of the reason that provoked a high level of this indicator, parents are encouraged to visit a health facility with their child.
Increased CRP in women
If a woman aged 30 to 60 years has a high level of this indicator, then it is necessary to exclude the presence of gynecological diseases:
- endometritis;
- cervical erosion;
- endometriosis;
- cervicitis;
- breast or cervical cancer.
For the timely detection of the above pathologies, regular monitoring by a gynecologist is necessary, since basically their development just happens after 35 years. Further, chronic infections that can cause an increase in reactive protein in an adult woman are excluded:
- chlamydia
- gardnerellosis;
- mycoplasmosis;
- cystitis;
- pyelonephritis;
- urethritis.
C-reactive protein is a good indicator of long-term inflammatory reactions. However, such processes may not bother the woman and not reduce the quality of life, but according to the results of the analysis, even with complete well-being, the protein concentration will be above normal. Then, digestive system disorders are subject to exclusion:
- chronic cholecystitis;
- dysbiosis;
- pancreatitis
- and some others.
If these diseases are not confirmed, then the diagnosis is continued to identify other diseases.
CRP and pregnancy
Numerous studies have shown that the level of reactive protein, provided that there are no inflammatory processes in female individuals, can to some extent predict the course of pregnancy. The following patterns were identified depending on the level of reactive protein (mg / l):
- If more than 7, then the risk of severe gestosis is about 70%. With this complication, the nervous and vascular system is affected, the work of the kidneys is disrupted, the pressure rises.
- Above 8 - increases the risk of premature delivery.
- More than 6.3, and with urgent deliveries that have come on time, there is a significant risk of bacterial complications. The reason for which lies in the infection of the endometrium of the uterus, membranes or amniotic fluid.
Protein can increase for various reasons, the exclusion of which will help to correctly predict and plan the tactics of conducting a pregnant woman.
Characteristic symptoms accompanying high analysis rates
C-reactive protein is elevated, what does it mean? CRP in itself is a symptom of any pathological condition, respectively, an increase in excess of the normative values is clinically manifested by signs of the disease, which caused its increase. For example, if a child has:
- bloating;
- diarrhea;
- rash on the body;
- cough;
- rhinitis;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- headache, then in all the above cases, the level of reactive protein will be high.
The following symptoms indicate an increase in C-reactive protein in a child:
- increased sweating;
- dyspnea;
- temperature rise;
- chills.
According to the results of laboratory studies, an increase in ESR and white blood cells is detected simultaneously with a high level of protein. There is a relationship between increased CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The first indicator arises and disappears before the level of the second changes. Therefore, the study of reactive protein is successfully used to assess the risk of heart disease and their complications. In medical practice, there are cases in which reactive protein is not detected, and ESR increases. The reason lies in some forms of arthritis, infections, or acute intoxication of the body. A decrease in CRP indicates recovery.
Indications for analysis
Doctors recommend conducting this analysis in the following conditions:
- if you suspect an infectious or inflammatory process;
- in order to control the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy of acute or chronic inflammation, leukemia, oncopathology;
- with an increase in blood glucose;
- endocrine disorders;
- various autoimmune diseases of a systemic nature;
- hypertension;
- heart ischemia;
- atherosclerosis of blood vessels;
- injuries
- operation;
- sepsis;
- pneumonia;
- meningitis;
- bacterial infections in the acute phase;
- transplantation of tissues and organs in order to detect rejection and complications;
- diagnosis of Crohn's disease;
- after myocardial infarction to determine the degree of necrosis of the heart muscle.
The results obtained help to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy, as well as to control the dynamics of the inflammatory process.
Why analysis is needed
Sometimes parents have a question about the necessity and feasibility of analyzing a reactive protein. As mentioned above, this protein is a kind of indicator of pathology, since it is the first to respond to changes in the body and in the interpretation of the analysis, the doctor sees an increase in C-reactive protein in the child. Modern methods of laboratory diagnostics are very accurate and sensitive, therefore, even a slight increase in CRP can be recognized. Accurate and correct decoding of the research results is important for the medical diagnosis of various serious diseases of an infectious nature. The doctor prescribes an analysis if the individual has signs indicating an illness. In addition, such a study is recommended for people of an older age category. Timely detection of an increase in the level of reactive protein helps to take measures in a timely manner and reduce the risk of developing serious pathologies such as:
- diabetes;
- myocardial infarction.
In addition, thanks to this analysis, the effectiveness of ongoing pharmacotherapy is monitored. Protein indices are determined in all individuals who have undergone treatment for heart disease, as well as the vascular system. For patients at risk for coronary heart disease, monitoring of CRP in the blood helps to avoid serious consequences. Decryption of the analysis is the prerogative of the attending doctor, it is not recommended to draw any conclusions on your own. In practically healthy individuals, reactive protein is not detected in the blood or its quantity is so negligible that it is not taken into account in laboratory studies.
Analysis preparation
Preparatory measures are the same for both children and adults:
- The best time for delivery of biomaterial is until 11 a.m.
- Twelve hours before the study, do not eat, do not drink tea and coffee drinks.
- Exclude alcohol, energy.
- For three hours do not smoke.
- For a day, eliminate stressful situations and physical activity.
- Do not overheat or supercool before analysis.
Venous blood is taken for analysis. The very first definition of reactive protein is done in the maternity hospital. The biomaterial in this case is taken from the umbilical cord of the baby. The purpose of this early study is to eliminate sepsis. Fluctuations in CRP in babies can be triggered by agranulocytosis, which passes on its own, without the use of drugs, by three years.
Treatment with increased reactive protein and prevention
Initially, the cause of the increase in CRP is determined, a diagnosis is made, and then therapy is prescribed. In the presence of an infectious or inflammatory process, the choice is stopped on immunomodulating, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs. In oncopathology - chemotherapy treatment. In each case, an individual approach. With the right treatment, the level of elevated C-reactive protein in a child decreases and returns to normal values on the third day. In order for the treatment to be successful, it is advisable to adhere to the following recommendations:
- adjust the diet towards a healthy diet;
- take daily walks;
- maintain normal weight;
- monitor cholesterol levels;
- doing physical exercise.
If it was revealed that the child's C-reactive protein is elevated, then control tests are carried out fifteen to twenty days after the disappearance of clinical manifestations. Parents need to monitor the baby’s health, try not to overload his body with heavy food, and encourage physical activity. With hereditary cardiovascular or oncological pathologies, regularly take tests and undergo the necessary examinations.
The use of statins and acetylsalicylic acid reduces the concentration of reactive protein. Low consumption of alcohol-containing drinks, daily physical activities, control of body weight and maintaining it in norm also helps to reduce this indicator and at the same time reduces the risk of vascular diseases.
For what purposes are the results of CRP used?
The values of this indicator are used by doctors to:
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of the treatment for various pathologies of the circulatory system.
- The prognosis of complications in individuals with coronary heart disease, as well as hypertension.
- Prevention of complications.
- Risk assessment of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Control of antibacterial and other therapy.
One of the reasons for the increase in C-reactive protein in children is the inflammatory processes occurring in the body. , , . - . .
What does elevated C-reactive protein mean? Its high level contributes to the activation of the body's defenses. It is considered an important part of the immune system, due to which the release of antimicrobial and antiviral substances, as well as the work of protective cells, is stimulated. One of its undesirable effects is the effect on fat metabolism. Significant protein concentrations provoke the deposition of low density lipoproteins on the walls of arteries. For this reason, the value of CRP is used in determining the risk of vascular complications.