What does it mean if a baby has high C-reactive protein?

Patient's question:

No

Doctor's answer:

Hello, C-reactive protein (CRP) is a highly sensitive indicator of acute-phase response. The concentration of CRP in plasma rapidly and significantly increases during acute myocardial infarction, trauma, infection, inflammation, surgical procedures, and tumor infiltration, sometimes reaching up to 2000 times the normal value. CRP is not a specific diagnostic marker and cannot be used to confirm a disease diagnosis. It is primarily used in combination with clinical history to monitor diseases, such as assessing the activity of inflammatory diseases and monitoring postoperative complications like infections.