C-reactive protein concentration distribution among US children and young adults: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2000.
BACKGROUND
The distribution of C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations among children and young adults in the US is not known at present.


METHODS
We used data from 3348 US children and young adults 3-19 years of age who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2000, to describe the distribution of CRP concentrations, based on results obtained with a high-sensitivity latex-enhanced turbidimetric assay.


RESULTS
The range of CRP concentrations was 0.1-90.8 mg/L (mean, 1.6 mg/L; geometric mean, 0.5 mg/L; median, 0.4 mg/L). CRP concentrations increased with age. Females 16-19 years of age had higher concentrations than males in this age range (P = 0.003). Mexican Americans had the highest CRP concentrations among the three major race or ethnic groups (P <0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
For the first time, these data describe the CRP concentration distribution among US children and young adults, based on results obtained with a high-sensitivity assay.
Ford
Earl S
ES
Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS K66, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. esf2@cdc.gov
Giles
Wayne H
WH
Myers
Gary L
GL
Rifai
Nader
N
Ridker
Paul M
PM
Mannino
David M
DM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D012016:Reference Values; D044465:White People
D002097:C-Reactive Protein