C-reactive protein concentrations as a marker of inflammation or infection for interpreting biomarkers of micronutrient status

Overview

This document aims to provide users of the Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System (VMNIS) with information about the use of CRP as a marker of inflammation or infection for assessing changes in biomarkers of nutritional status, particularly serum or plasma ferritin or retinol levels, during infection or inflammation. It is a compilation of the existing information on cut-off values obtained from various World Health Organization (WHO) consultations. WHO has previously compiled summaries on the use of serum ferritin and plasma retinol as indicators of a population’s iron and vitamin A status, respectively.

The information included in this summary is essential for correct interpretation of serum or plasma ferritin and retinol values during times of infection or inflammation and can serve as a reference for the previously released indicator summaries. Assessment of CRP, along with indicators of iron and vitamin A status, is useful for monitoring trends in the iron and vitamin A status of populations and evaluation of the impact of public health interventions.