The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

Investigating the Correlation between C-reactive protein and Preterm delivery

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Fataneh Tavasolian 1
Elham Abdollahi 1
Mahmood Vakili 2
Morteza Samadi 3
1 M.Sc. of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2014.2958
Abstract
Introduction: Preterm delivery is the most important cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Infections and chronic inflammation are one of the main causes of preterm delivery. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation that is secreted by hepatic cells in response to inflammatory stimuli. We examined the association between c-reactive protein as a marker of inflammation in pregnant women and risk of preterm delivery
Methods: This prospective case-control study was conducted between 2011 and 2012 on 200 pregnant women who referred to gynecologists office in Shiraz, Iran. Subjects were divided into three groups: 63 pregnant women who delivered before week 30 of pregnancy, 30 pregnant women who delivered between weeks 30-37 and 107 controls who delivered at term. Serum CRP was evaluated by Immunoturbidimetry Assay method with photometric analyzer in all groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16 and ANOVA test. P value Results: CRP concentration among women with preterm delivery before 30 weeks of gestation were increased compared to the other two groups (p<0.05). Also significant difference in CRP concentrations were seen in women with preterm labor before 30 weeks of gestation compared to those who had delivery after 37 weeks (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Increased CRP concentration directly correlates with preterm birth and it seems that CRP can be helpful in identifying women at risk of preterm birth.
Keywords
C-reactive protein
Inflammation
Premature birth
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