title: CRP levels in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) septic infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Testing the validity of C-reactive protein (CRP) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a five-year period, 483 infants with probable (36%) and definite sepsis (64%) were enrolled in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ELBW infants with definitive sepsis had CRP levels comparable with full-terms (p=0.992). However, the highest (hs) values were observed in infants >2500 g, 24 h after the septic work up whereas in those with birth weight (BW) <1000 g after 48 h. Highest CRP levels of infants with early sepsis were similar to those of the late onset ones (p=0.825). The causative microorganism had a strong influence on CRP values, as Gram negative germs produced significantly higher CRP levels in comparison to infants with Gram positive sepsis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Highest CRP values in <1000 g infants increase in levels comparable to full terms, but with a 24-h delay.
authors.affiliation: NICU and.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dritsakou
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liosis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gioni
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Glynou
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Avdeliodi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Papagaroufalis
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood*; D062071:Infant, Extremely Premature / Q000097:blood; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood* / Q000151:congenital
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: CRP; ELBW; full term; gram; infants; microorganism