%0 Journal Article
%T The use of C-reactive protein in predicting bacterial co-Infection in children with bronchiolitis
%A Mohamad Fares
%A Sawsan Mourad
%A Mariam Rajab
%A Nahida Rifai
%J North American Journal of Medical Sciences
%D 2011
%I North American Journal of Medical Sciences
%X Background: Bronchiolitis is a potentially life-threatening respiratory illness commonly affecting children who are less than two years of age. Patients with viral lower respiratory tract infection are at risk for co-bacterial infection. Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the use of C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting bacterial co-infection in patients hospitalized for bronchiolitis and to correlate the results with the use of antibiotics. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective study that included patients diagnosed with bronchiolitis admitted to Makassed General Hospital in Beirut from October 2008 to April 2009. A tracheal aspirate culture was taken from all patients with bronchiolitis on admission to the hospital. Blood was drawn to test C-reactive protein level, white cell count, transaminases level, and blood sugar level. Results: Forty-nine patients were enrolled in the study and were divided into two groups. Group 1 included patients with positive tracheal aspirate culture and Group 2 included those with negative culture. All patients with a CRP level ¡Ý2 mg/dL have had bacterial co-infection. White cell count, transaminases and blood sugar levels were not predictive for bacterial co-infection. The presence of bacterial co-infection increased the length of hospital stay in the first group by 2 days compared to those in the second group. Conclusion: Bacterial co-infection is frequent in infants with moderate to severe bronchiolitis and requires admission. Our data showed that a CRP level greater than 1.1 mg/dL raised suspicion for bacterial co-infection. Thus, a tracheal aspirate should be investigated microbiologically in all hospitalized patients in order to avoid unnecessary antimicrobial therapy and to shorten the duration of the hospital stay.
%K Bronchiolitis
%K Lower respiratory tract infection in children
%K C-reactive protein
%K Bacterial co-infection.
%U http://najms.org/resources/PDF+152-156+The+use+of+C-reactive+protein+in+predicting+bacterial+co-Infection+in+children+with+bronchiolitis.pdf