Overview of C-Reactive Protein Levels in Neonatal Infants at Al Ihsan Regional General Hospital

Abstract

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a key inflammatory marker with significant diagnostic value in detecting systemic infections in neonates, whose immune systems are still immature. This study aims to describe CRP levels in neonates treated at RSUD Al Ihsan between March and June 2025. The research employed a descriptive quantitative method with a retrospective approach based on secondary data from medical records. A total of 45 neonates were selected using total sampling. CRP levels were measured using the turbidimetric method and categorized into three groups: normal (<5 mg/L), borderline (5–10 mg/L), and high (>10 mg/L). The results showed that most neonates had high CRP levels, indicating a likely presence of infection or active inflammation. Additional variables analyzed included age at examination, gender, birth weight, mode of delivery, and length of hospital stay. The data were processed descriptively using Microsoft Excel, generating summaries such as mean, median, standard deviation, minimum, maximum, and frequency distribution. These findings highlight the importance of CRP testing as an early indicator in monitoring neonatal health and guiding clinical decisions.