Is there any Correlation between Cerebrospinal Fluid and Serum C-reactive Protein in Neonates Suspected to Meningitis?

Meningitis is a common life threatening infection in neonatal period. Diagnostic value of CSF-CRP level in bacterial meningitis in children and adults has been studied worldwide, but there are limited studies on CSF-CRP in neonatal meningitis. This study conducted to assess any relation between CSF-CRP and plasma CRP levels and abnormal CSF findings in neonates suspected to meningitis.

Seventy five hospitalized neonates suspected to meningitis were enrolled in this cross sectional study. All infants were gone through a complete sepsis workup including blood and CSF CRP.

CSF-CRP level had statistically significant correlation with serum WBC (p= 0.048) and also poor correlation with CSF protein level (p= 0.054). Serum CRP level had statistically significant correlation with CSF WBC (p= 0.008).

No correlation found between CSF and serum CRP levels of patients in this study. Although, CSF-CRP is a rapid and easy to interpret test, it can be performed alongside CSF cytology and biochemical analysis, smear and culture as a confirmatory test for definite diagnosis of neonatal meningitis.