SAA and CRP are potential indicators in distinction and severity assessment for children with influenza

PurposeThe clinical values of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) to distinguish non-severe from severe influenza in children are rarely reported.MethodsBaseline characteristics and laboratory results were collected and analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used for combined detection of indicators for children with influenza, and scatter-dot plots were used to compare the differences between non-severe and severe influenza.ResultsChildren with influenza B had more bronchitis and pneumonia (P < 0.05) and children with influenza A had more other serious symptoms (P = 0.015). Lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), CRP, and SAA performed differently among children with influenza A and B. Joint detection of SAA and other indicators could better separate healthy children from children with influenza than single indicator detection. The CRP and SAA levels of children with severe influenza B infection and SAA levels of children with severe influenza A infection were significantly elevated compared with children with non-severe influenza (P < 0.05).ConclusionsSAA and CRP could be potential indicators in distinction and severity assessment for children with influenza; however, age should be taken into account when using them in children with influenza B.