Maternal Serum C-reactive Protein Levels Research Articles

Oxidative stress and inflammation in pregnancy

Pregnancy is a period when increased oxidative stress can be expected. We have focused especially on oxidative stress and inflammation in the period of pregnancy, when prenatal screening is usually performed. We determined advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), C‐reactive protein (CRP) and anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) IgG and IgM levels in the serum of 86 pregnant women in the 1st trimester and 102 pregnant women in the 2nd trimester. AOPP levels in the maternal serum of pregnant women were significantly higher in the 1st and 2nd trimesters than they were in that of non‐pregnant women (p<0.0001, p<0.001, respectively). Maternal serum CRP levels, too, were increased compared with those in non‐pregnant women (1st and 2nd trimester versus non‐pregnant women p<0.05, p<0.005, respectively). Just as with AOPPs and CRP, the ACA IgG levels in pregnant women were significantly higher in both trimesters than they were in non‐pregnant women (1st and 2nd trimesters versus non‐pregnant women p<0.05, p<0.001, respectively). Maternal serum CRP levels correlated positively with AOPPs in the 2nd trimester (r = 0.504, p<0.05). The increased levels of AOPPs, CRP and ACA IgG in the 1st and 2nd trimesters may reflect a maternal response to inflammatory and oxidative stress in pregnant women.

Necrotizing funisitis: Clinical significance and association with chronic lung disease in premature infants

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to analyze the clinical significance of necrotizing funisitis, an unusual type of chronic inflammation of the umbilical cord, and to determine whether necrotizing funisitis is associated with chronic lung disease in premature infants. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 52 perinatal factors were prospectively assessed in 18 pregnant women and their fetuses in cases of chorioamnionitis at delivery occurring at 22 to 30 gestational weeks; a statistical comparison between the necrotizing funisitis group ( n = 5) and the group without necrotizing funisitis ( n = 18) was carried out. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between necrotizing funisitis and the following factors: maternal serum C-reactive protein level on admission ( p = 0.014), fetal distress ( p = 0.044), umbilical artery blood pH value ( p = 0.037) and polynuclear neutrophilic leukocyte count at birth ( p = 0.014), chronic lung disease ( p = 0.035), need for dexamethasone therapy for chronic lung disease ( p = 0.029), duration of oxygen supplementation ( p = 0.026), and length of hospital stay ( p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant association between necrotizing funisitis and development of chronic lung disease, suggesting that necrotizing funisitis is an important risk factor for the development of chronic lung disease.(Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;177:7)

C-Reactive Protein in Normal Pregnancy

Maternal serum C-reactive protein (CRP) has been studied extensively as an adjunct in the diagnosis of subclinical infection among pregnant women with preterm labor or preterm rupture of membranes. However, before the utility of CRP can be studied in pregnancies with these complications, the effects of normal pregnancy and labor on maternal serum CRP levels must be established. We determined CRP levels serially from 22 weeks' gestation until delivery in healthy pregnant women without antepartum complications. Median CRP values for women not in labor ranged from 0.7-0.9 mg/dL, depending on gestational age; 95% of the values were 1.5 mg/dL or lower. No consistent change in CRP levels with gestational age was found among serially sampled women not in labor. The median CRP value for women in labor at term was 1.3 mg/dL, and 32% of values were over 1.5 mg/dL. Median CRP values in normal pregnancies appear to be higher than standardized values for nonpregnant individuals, and CRP values are further elevated in labor. Understanding the physiology and temporal course of the increase in CRP in normal pregnancy and labor may help to clarify the appropriate use of CRP in complicated pregnancies.