title: Diagnostic value of C-reactive protein in children with perforated appendicitis.
abstract: The diagnostic value of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in children with perforated appendicitis was prospectively studied in 78 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed appendicitis. The patients were divided into two groups: group A included 56 patients with perforated appendicitis and group B consisted of 22 patients with simple appendicitis. Serum CRP level and leucocyte count were assayed in all and abdominal ultrasonography was performed in 75. The mean age group A patient was significantly lower than that of group B patients (7.5 vs. 10.4 years, P < 0.001). Group A patients had a significantly higher mean serum CRP levels than group B patients (92 vs. 31 mg/l, P < 0.001), while the mean leucocyte count was comparable in the two groups. Of 75 examined patients, 73 (97%) had a pre-operative sonographic diagnosis of appendicitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perforation is a common complication in children with appendicitis, especially in those of young age and with prolonged pain duration. Greatly increased serum CRP levels (> or = 50 mg/l) and abdominal ultrasonography are important diagnostic aids in such patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: T Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein