Maternal C-reactive protein in early pregnancy. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maguire, Patrick J.; Power, Karen A.; O'Higgins, Amy C.; Jackson, Sabrina; Harley, Ruth; le Roux, Carel W.; Turner, Michael J.
• Is Part Of: European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology. Volume 193(2015:Oct.)
• Page Start: 79
• Page End: 82
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Maternal C-reactive protein -- Maternal infection -- Maternal obesity; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Reproductive health -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Obstétrique -- Périodiques; Gynécologie -- Périodiques; Reproduction -- Périodiques; Verloskunde; Gynaecologie; Voortplanting (biologie); Gynecology; Obstetrics; Reproduction; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2015.07.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-2115

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To compare maternal C-reactive protein concentration in the first 18 weeks of pregnancy with the nonpregnant adult reference range. Study design: Serum samples from healthy women with a pregnancy <18 weeks' gestation were retrieved from a Hospital biological resource bank. C-reactive protein was measured using an immunoturbidimetric assay. Clinical and sociodemographic details were retrieved from the Hospital's computerized database. Results: Of the 146 women, 85 (58.2%) were nulliparous, 11 (7.5%) were smokers and 22 (15.1%) were obese. Mean gestational age at phlebotomy was 12.5 (range 8.1–17.4) weeks. Median C-reactive protein was 3.2 (interquartile range 0.3–12.1) mg/L. There were 74 women (50.7%) with C-reactive protein level >3.0 mg/L which is above the nonpregnant adult reference range. C-reactive protein levels were positively correlated with increasing Body Mass Index. No relationship was found between C-reactive protein and age, smoking or gestational age. Conclusion: C-reactive protein concentration in a well-characterized population in early pregnancy was higher than that cited for the nonpregnant adult, and C-reactive protein was positively associated with Body Mass Index. Therefore, caution is needed in the use and interpretation of C-reactive protein measurements in early pregnancy to avoid unnecessary interventions in women with suspected illness.