IMPACT OF POINT-OF-CARE TESTING ON CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN PEDIATRIC ACUTE ILLNESSES

This review evaluates the utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) as an inflammatory biomarker in pediatric respiratory and bacterial infections, focusing on its application in primary and ambulatory care settings. Utilizing point-of-care (PoC) CRP testing, the research aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy and inform clinical decisions. Elevated CRP levels signify acute inflammation, common in diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, where immune responses are complex. High-sensitivity CRP assays may help grade inflammation severity. The study, which employed the Affinion CRP test for rapid results, highlights CRP's role in identifying higher-risk cases but underscores its limitations in excluding severe infections without supplementary clinical data. Comparing CRP to procalcitonin revealed that the latter often provides superior sensitivity and specificity for detecting invasive bacterial infections. The findings advocate for incorporating CRP into structured diagnostic protocols, which could optimize pediatric care by reducing unnecessary antibiotic use. Standardized cutoff values and multimodal biomarker strategies are recommended for refining diagnostic approaches.