C-reactive protein in children with malaria in Luanda, Angola: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant of which little is known in malaria, especially in central Africa. METHODS: In this prospective study CRP was measured in children with suspected malaria. RESULTS: Of 346 children, 234 had positive and 112 negative malaria microscopy. Their median CRP was 140 mg/L (IQR 88) vs 69 mg/L (IQR 129; p<0.001) respectively. CRP was positively correlated with parasitemia (p<0.001), and length of hospital stay (p=0.01), and negatively with thrombocyte count (p=0.01), and hemoglobin level (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: C-reactive protein increases in malaria and correlates with parasitemia and some manifestations of complicated disease.