The association of subclinical infection with preterm labor: the role of C-reactive protein.
The role of subclinical intrauterine infection in preterm labor was evaluated prospectively in 40 patients and appropriate control subjects. The 24 preterm labor patients (60%) with a negative C-reactive protein value responded to tocolysis 95.8% of the time, with a mean delay of delivery of 35.5 days and a mean gestational age of 36.9 weeks. The 16 patients (40%) with a positive C-reactive protein value responded to tocolysis only 37.5% of the time, with a mean delay of delivery of 14.4 days and a mean gestational age of 33.2 weeks. Pathologic evidence of chorioamnionitis was present in 32.9% of 310 preterm deliveries as compared to only 22.3% of 1631 term deliveries. The presence of subclinical infection must be considered in cases of preterm labor, especially among patients for whom tocolytic therapy is unsuccessful.
D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies
D002097:C-Reactive Protein