The Role of C-Reactive Protein and Visfatin in Pathogenesis of Preterm Labor in Al- Najaf City

785 Received 5 February 2014 Accepted 5 August 2014 Abstract Background:Visfatin is adipokine originally discovered as a preB-cell colony enhancing factor, is expressed by amniotic epithelium,cytotrophoblast,and deciduas and is over expressed when fetal membrane are exposed to mechanical stress or inflammatory stimuli. Objective: To determine whether preterm labour is associated with changes in maternal plasma circulating Creactive protein (CRP) and visfatin concentrations. Study design: This is a case control study. Setting: The department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in the college of medicine in Kufa University. Materials and Method: The patients included in this study were divided into three groups control group who are preterm not in labor(50) and cases group who are preterm in labor(50) and full term group in labor(50). Parameters include age, gestational age, general urine examination, liver function test, renal function test, white blood count, hemoglobin, c-reactive protein (CRP), and visfatin. Results: There is a significant increment in the level of C-reactive protein and visfatin between cases and control groups . Conclusion: The visfatin and c-reactive protein may be involved in the pathogenesis of preterm labor.