C-reactive protein: normal in adults and children. What the C-reactive protein indicates

In the article, we find out what C-reactive protein shows.

One of the main diagnostic methods by which it is possible to detect a disease and prescribe adequate treatment, of course, is a blood test. Such a study helps to determine the level of protein, which is an indicator of inflammatory processes. In the event that the C-reactive protein in a person deviates from the norm, then the reasons can be quite serious.

What is it?

C-reactive protein is a fairly old laboratory study, which shows that some inflammatory acute process is taking place in the body. Conventional research methods fail to detect protein. Directly in biochemical analysis, an increase in its concentration is manifested by a noticeable increase in α-globulins, which it usually represents in combination with other acute phase proteins.

The main reason for the appearance and increase in the concentration of this reactive protein is, as a rule, various acute inflammatory pathologies that provoke a multiple increase in this acute phase protein after six to twelve hours from the onset of the pathological process.

What is the norm of C-reactive protein in women is interesting to many.

The importance of such a protein

This element acts as the dominant protein that activates the immune system, which is designed to respond to tissue damage (be it muscle, nervous or epithelial tissue).

What does C-reactive protein show?

The level of this indicator along with ESR is used in diagnostics as an indicator of inflammation.

In case of violation of the structure and tissue integrity, inflammatory processes are launched. White blood cells can begin to secrete interleukins, which are part of the immune system. They stimulate the synthesis of this protein in the liver.

Functions

Further, the protein performs such functions:

• Reactive protein attaches to the surface of pathogens, as if marking them. Pathogens are more noticeable for immunity.
• Thanks to the protein in question, a sequential reaction is launched that contributes to the rapid elimination of the pathogen.
• In the focus of inflammation, protein can bind to decay products, protecting the body from all sorts of negative effects. This activates the phagocytosis process, which is the absorption and elimination of pathogens.
• Four hours after the onset of inflammation, protein concentration tends to increase several times. And at the end of two days, the reactive protein can exceed the norm by one thousand times.

The results of the analysis can prompt the doctor in time whether antibiotics are required to be prescribed to the patient. In the event that the protein is elevated, the answer will be positive. In the opposite case, such drugs are never used. Next, find out what are the norm indicators for this element.

C-reactive protein: normal in children and adult patients

In an adult healthy person, exactly like in a child, the indicator of this protein will be in the range of less than 5 milligrams per liter.

What is the norm for women with C-reactive protein?

This value is absolutely the same for both men and women at any age. An increase in this indicator to a figure above 8.2 milligrams per liter or more is a very alarming sign, and, in addition, an occasion for a subsequent medical examination. The norm of C-reactive protein for newborns is considered to be below 1.6 milligrams per liter. Now let's talk about the reasons for the increase in protein.

What are the main reasons for the increase?

The highest protein index is observed in the case of the penetration of bacterial infections. As soon as they invade the human body, the amount of the protein in question increases tenfold. With a normal rate of 5 milligrams per liter, its amount can increase to hundreds. In addition to bacterial infections, there are other growth factors. The level of such a protein rises in the body with the development of the following pathologies:

• In viral infections, the total protein content can jump up to 20 milligrams per liter.
• With necrosis and tissue damage as a result of an experienced heart attack, tumor decay, trauma, burns, frostbite and the like.
• Against the background of atherosclerotic vascular lesion. Sluggish inflammation in the walls of blood vessels contribute to the development of the disease.
• With rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis.
• Against the background of the development of polymyalgia rheumatism, when chronic muscle pain occurs.
• In the presence of any neoplasms.
• In the case of the development of atherogenic dyslipidemia, which includes a triad of metabolic disorders.
• With hypertension and diabetes.
• In case of hormonal imbalance. In this case, the content of progesterone and estrogen may exceed the optimal number.
• Against the background of digestive system diseases.
• Against the background of bacterial, viral or tuberculous meningitis.
• In the event of a patient's bronchial asthma, provided that there is a lesion in the respiratory system.

Other cases

An increase in the level of such a protein is also quite likely in the following cases:

• In the postoperative period. At this time, its increase signals the development of certain complications in the patient.
• In pregnant women, when they face a threat of premature birth.

And if there is a deviation from the norm of C-reactive protein in the blood?

Subjective Enhancement Factors

The following subjective factors for increasing C-reactive protein are present:

• The influence of significant physical activity immediately before analysis.
• The use of hormonal contraceptive drugs by the patient.
• Having obesity or dieting with excessive amounts of protein (often similar to athletes);
• In depressive states and sleep problems.
• If the patient is addicted to smoking.

The effect of drugs

It should also be borne in mind that there are medical drugs that can artificially reduce the amount of this protein, which is actually raised. These include anti-inflammatory drugs and non-steroidal drugs along with glucocorticoid hormones.

How much should be the norm of C-reactive protein in children, we said.

Features of the increase in children

Separately, it is worth highlighting the reasons for the growth of such a protein in children. In babies who are just born, the amount of this protein may not increase even with sepsis. The reason for this lies directly in the fact that the liver in newborns is still not working at full strength.

When the growth of reactive protein was nevertheless recorded in the blood of newborns, antimicrobial treatment should be immediately carried out. Sometimes an increase in the concentration of this type of protein is the only symptom of the penetration of an infection into the body of a child after a certain surgical intervention. The protein level also increases with the development of the following childhood ailments: with chickenpox, rubella and measles.

Its quantity in particular jumps up in the first few days of the disease when the babies are in a fever due to a change in their body temperature. Immediately after recovery, the protein concentration is also rapidly reduced to the norm of C-reactive protein in children.

The main signs of increase and indications for the study

The following indirect symptoms indicate an increase in the level of this protein:

• Temperature increase.
• The appearance of a slight chill.
• Occurrence of periodic cough and shortness of breath.
• The appearance of increased general sweating.
• In the general analysis, an increase in ESR along with the number of leukocytes can be recorded.

Until recently, a C-reactive protein assay was prescribed by doctors to detect a hidden inflammatory process. Today, it can be used to assess the risks of heart and vascular ailments in people who are practically healthy. This primarily relates to patients who are in old age. The main indications for the analysis of C-reactive protein are as follows:

• The development of coronary heart disease and other ailments that occur against the background of atherosclerosis.
• Timely establishment of exacerbations after a surgical operation, for example, bypass surgery or performed angioplasty.
• Identify the risks of a second stroke or heart attack.
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy for bacterial infections.
• The period of treatment of cardiac and vascular pathologies.
• Suspicion of the presence of neoplasms in the patient in the body.
• The occurrence of signs of lupus erythematosus.
• Diagnosis of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

In order to ensure the reliability of the final results of indicators of C-reactive protein, the test is carried out in the morning. In addition, you can’t eat twelve hours before the procedure, in addition, you should temporarily give up any physical activity and avoid stress. Having fixed an increased level of protein in the patient and after excluding the influence on the index of certain subjective factors, the doctor determines with further therapy. The use of drugs can somewhat distort the reliability of the obtained information about the level of protein. In order to ensure the accuracy of the result, the test should be performed again after fourteen days.

Treatment

The situation when C-reactive protein is elevated is not a disease, but rather an indirect sign of a possible pathology. Its exact name is determined by the doctor after an additional examination. It is the identified disease that is subject to treatment. In the event that the therapy is prescribed correctly, the protein level returns to normal after a day. When this does not happen, the therapy needs to be adjusted. If C-reactive protein is elevated and there are no symptoms of infection in the body, an oncologist should be consulted. In order for the treatment to become more effective, compliance with the following recommendations will not hinder:

• Try to lower cholesterol.
• Do not forget about physical activity, while keeping your weight normal.
• In no case do not allow the growth of sugar in the blood.
• Stop smoking, and, in addition, from alcohol, reducing their use to the minimum possible.
• Try to adhere to the recommendations for good nutrition.

These are all standard rules for all those patients who wish to stay healthy longer along with a high quality of life. The concentration of C-reactive protein is estimated not earlier than two weeks after the symptoms of any acute illness or exacerbation of a chronic disease disappear. In the case of an increase in the amount of this protein twice or more, it is necessary to undergo an additional examination in order to clarify the likely causes of the onset of inflammatory processes.

We examined the rate of C-reactive protein.