Changes of C-reactive protein and peripheral white blood cell levels in children with febrile convulsions

Abstract

Objective To study the changes of C-reactive protein （CRP） and peripheral white blood cell（WBC） levels in children with febrile convulsions. Methods Children with fever were divid- ed into two groups（ 108 children with febrile convulsions and 98 children without febrile convulsions）. The levels of CRP and WBC were detected and statistically analyzed. Results The CRP levels were ele- vated in 30 children with febrile convulsions, whose WBC counts were（ 13.6 ±4. 5） × 10^9/L; The CRP levels were normal in 78 children with febrile convulsions, whose WBC counts were（ 12.2 ±4.6） ×10^9/L. The CRP levels were elevated in 52 children without febrile convulsions, whose WBC counts were （9. 8±4.3） × 10^9/L; The CRP levels were normal in 46 children without febrile convulsions, whose WBC counts were（7.6 ±3.2） × 10^9/L. Whether the levels of CRP increased or not, the WBC counts in children with febrile convulsions were obviously higher than those in children without febrile convulsions, there were significant differences （P 〈 0.05 ）. Among the 78 children with febrile convulsions whose CRP levels were normal, 52 eases（66.7% ） had elevated WBC counts. While among the 46 children without febrile convulsions whose CRP levels were normal, 10 cases（21.7% ） had elevated WBC counts. There were significant differences （P 〈 0. 05）. Conclusions The peripheral white blood cell（WBC） levels are not paralleled with the levels of CRP in children with febrile convulsions, and the WBC counts often are higher than those in children without febrile convulsions. Key words: Febrile convulsions ; White blood cell ; C-reactive protein ; Children