Publication:

Comparison of C-reactive proteins level in gestational hypertension and in normal pregnancy in 2nd and 3rd trimester and its correlation with maternal and foetal outcome

Background Hypertensive pregnancy disorder covers a spectrum of clinical conditions namely preeclampsia, eclampsia, chronic hypertension and gestational hypertension. Impaired function of vascular endothelium in preeclampsia may cause abnormal immune activation causing release of inflammatory agents like cytokines, C-reactive proteins (CRP) etc. Aim of this study is to evaluate the CRP (Q) levels in gestational hypertension and in normal pregnancy in 2nd and 3rd trimester and its correlation with maternal and foetal outcome.

Methods Total 350 patients were involved in the study with 160 subjects in Study group meeting the eligibility criteria and 190 subjects in control group. All the cases were followed up during the rest part of their antenatal, labour and postpartum period for development of preeclampsia and eclampsia and their effect on mother and foetus.

Results In 2nd and 3rd trimester mean CRP level in study group was 10.01 mg/L and 10.28 mg/L compare to control group 1.85 mg/L and 3.06 mg/L respectively. Difference of mean CRP level was statistically significant (P value <0.001) in both 2nd and 3rd trimester. Gestational age at delivery and birth weight, Apgar score for baby was lower in study group as compared to control group. Maternal morbidity, maternal mortality, mode of delivery by caesarean section, IUD, still birth, preterm delivery, IUGR, baby with respiratory distress syndrome was significantly higher in study group.

Conclusions Increased serum CRP level can be used as a biomarker for identifying women at risk of preeclampsia and its complications along with adverse effect.