460: Proteomic analysis of maternal serum to improve our prediction of preterm delivery

Abstract

(EBV) antibody, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), CRH, and ACTH. RESULTS: 114 (58 Caucasian and 56 African-American) pregnant women were recruited. An equal number of Caucasian and African American women had Medicaid versus private insurance and income was not significantly different by race. African-American women had significantly higher mean CRP levels in the 2nd trimester (2.09 1.07 vs 1.59 .91, p .01) and 3rd trimester (1.93 1.11 vs. 1.51 1.0, p .048). African-American women also had significantly elevated ACTH levels in the 2nd trimester (2.94 0.52 vs 2.68 0.53, p .01) and 3rd trimester (2.85 1.05 vs. 2.41 1.04, p .03). No differences in EBV or CRH levels were detected. Caucasian women reported higher buffers against stress (p .04) and African-American women reported higher rates of discrimination (p .001). CONCLUSION: Significant differences in self-reported and biologic measures of chronic stress were identified between African American and Caucasian pregnant women regardless of income. African American women had higher levels of CRP and ACTH in the 2nd and 3rd trimester and reported higher rates of discrimination, while Caucasian women reported a higher level of buffers against stress. Future studies should further investigate the racial differences in chronic stress and associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes.