Evidence of fetal C-reactive protein urinary excretion in early gestation.
BACKGROUND
C-reactive protein has been measured in amniotic fluid in the second and third trimesters of gestation, and its elevated concentration has been found to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. It remains unexplained whether amniotic fluid C-reactive protein is of fetal origin.


METHODS
We report the measurement of C-reactive protein in fetal urine obtained by transabdominal vescicocentesis in a fetus at 15 weeks' gestation affected by obstructive uropathy. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, C-reactive protein was detected at a concentration of 234 ng/mL.


CONCLUSIONS
The fetal kidneys excrete C-reactive protein as early as 15 weeks' gestation.
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Berne-Inselspital, Berne, Switzerland. luigi.raio@insel.ch
Luigi
L
Raio
Fabio
F
Ghezzi
Michel D
MD
Mueller
Jane
J
McDougall
Antoine
A
Malek
D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D019152:Paracentesis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000002:abnormalities*
D002097:C-Reactive Protein