Correlation of CRP levels in third trimester with fetal birth weight in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the levels of C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women and to determine its correlation with fetal birth weight. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shaikh Zayed Hospital and Gynaecological Unit II of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, from December 2011 to May 2012. METHODOLOGY The participants included 60 cases with preeclampsia and 60 normotensive pregnant women, all in their third trimester. All the participants were in the age group of 20 - 40 years and had a BMI range of 18 - 25. High sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were measured by Enzyme Link Immunosorbent Assay. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS (version 15). The values were considered significant at 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS C-reactive protein levels were significantly high (p < 0.001) in the preeclamptic group with a median value of 8.8 (0.3 - 25.5) as compared to 5.4 (0.24 - 9.8) mg/l in the normotensive women. The birth weight of babies was also significantly low in the preeclamptic group. The high CRP levels were negatively correlated with fetal birth weight in preeclamptic group. CONCLUSION Elevated C-reactive protein levels in the preeclamptic pregnant women is a part of an exaggerated maternal systemic inflammatory response, and correlates with low fetal birth weight.