Patterns of C-reactive protein ratio response to antibiotics in pediatric sepsis: A prospective cohort study

Abstract Purpose Evaluate sequential C-reactive protein (CRP) measurements and patterns of CRP-ratio response to antibiotic therapy during first 7 days in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of septic children. Methods Prospective, cohort study of children (1 month-12 years) admitted at 3 PICUs, with diagnosis of sepsis with Results 103 septic children (age-median: 2 yrs; 54% male) were prospectively included (infection focus: 65% respiratory, 12.5% central nervous system). Overall PICU mortality was 11.7%. 102 children could be classified according to a predefined CRP-ratio response pattern. Time-dependent analysis of CRP-ratio and CRP course of the different patterns were significantly different. Besides, PICU mortality rate was significantly different according CRP-ratio response patterns: fast response 4.5%; slow response 5.8%; non-response 29.4%; biphasic response 42.8%. Conclusions In pediatric sepsis, CRP-ratio serial evaluation was useful in early identification of patients with poor outcome.