C-reactive protein in the diagnosis of postoperative infection in pediatric patients: a prospective observational study of 103 patients.

Background: Surgical stress elicits a systemic inflammatory response syndrome that contributes to the development of septic complications. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein released in inflammatory states. To analyze the usefulness of CRP as a marker of infection in surgical pediatric patients, we analyzed its kinetics in these patients in comparison with usual markers, such temperature, leukocytes, or fibrinogen.