Significance of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (HS-CRP) in Iraqi children with COVID-19

Abstract

Background: The inflammatory reaction that is systemic to the infection with the virus (SARS-CoV-2) stands as the pathognomonic feature of this viral illness, and the majority of hospital admitted patients exhibit unusual biomarkers of inflammation. The protein C-reactive was also connected to severe illness in individuals with pneumonia caused by H1N1 influenza, and several researchers have described a link between COVID-19 disease severity and higher concentration of CRP. Aim of the study: The goal of the current research was to investigate the association among severity of COVID-19 in children, clinical presentation and the concentration of (HS-CRP). Methods and patients: The present research which is of cross sectional kind was practiced in Children and Maternity Teaching Hospital in Al-Diwaniyah Province, Iraq. The study included 200 children with COVDI-19 proved by positive RT-PCR results following nasopharyngeal swabs. The range of the age was from 1 month up to 15 years and the study included 110 males and 90 females. All children were investigated for the level of HS-CRP and the interpretation of levels was based on categorization into normal, moderate elevation, marked elevation and severe elevation.