Comparative analysis of blood routine, C-reactive protein, and biochemical markers in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia and its coinfections

Xingjia TangChongfeng Chen^*

• First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China

The current study aimed to compare clinical manifestations, blood routine parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and biochemical indicators in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) and those coinfected with Haemophilus influenzae or influenza virus. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 140 hospitalised children divided into three groups: simple MPP, MPP with H. influenzae coinfection, and MPP with influenza virus coinfection. Significant differences were observed among groups in age distribution, duration of cough and fever, and length of hospital stay. Children with MPP and H. influenzae coinfection had the highest hs-CRP levels (23.93±21.26 mg/L) and the most extended hospitalisations, while those coinfected with the influenza virus showed significantly lower white blood cell counts (7.25±3.50×10⁹/L) and platelet counts (266.00±97.46×10⁹/L), along with a higher monocyte percentage (10.18±3.29%). Simple MPP cases had the highest lymphocyte percentage (39.64±18.18%) and the longest duration of cough. No significant differences were found among groups in biochemical markers such as ALT, AST, CK, CK-MB, urea, and creatinine, although CK-MB levels were elevated across all groups. Correlation analysis showed significant positive but weak relationships between AST and ALT, CK, and CK-MB, while hs-CRP negatively correlated with creatinine. These findings highlight distinct inflammatory and haematological responses in MPP depending on the type of coinfection, emphasising the need for tailored clinical assessment and management.