Attenuated C-reactive protein response to infection in newborns and neonates: an age-stratified analysis in children with sepsis.

The c-reactive protein response to infection is substantially attenuated in newborns and neonates despite greater clinical severity.

This age-dependent phenomenon suggests that a single c-reactive protein cut-off is inappropriate for all pediatric age groups.

Clinicians should interpret c-reactive protein levels in very young children with caution, recognizing that even modest elevations may indicate clinically significant infection.