title: Serum highly sensitive C-reactive protein in preterm premature rupture of membranes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Low-grade inflammation may raise serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. We studied whether serum CRP is altered in preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), which is frequently associated with an asymptomatic intrauterine infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  CRP was quantitated with highly sensitive immunofluorometric (IFMA) and immunoenzymometric (IEMA) assays in 32 women with PPROM at 30.7+/-0.4 gestational weeks (mean+/-standard error of the mean) and in 27 gestational age-matched healthy women. The results were compared to those obtained by the conventional immunoturbidimetric method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-three PPROM patients had a normal CRP value (</=12mg/l) by immunoturbidimetry. Their highly sensitive CRP value was not different from that of controls. During the observation period of 11+/-3 days after PPROM, an increase in the highly sensitive CRP was observed in patients whose immunoturbidimetric CRP remained normal (n=10).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increase in the highly sensitive CRP in PPROM patients with constantly normal immunoturbidimetric CRP may reflect the presence of a subclinical inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 2, 00290, Helsinki, Finland. mikko.loukovaara@hus.fi
authors.forename: Mikko J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Loukovaara
authors.forename: Henrik V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Alfthan
authors.forename: M Tapio
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Kurki
authors.forename: Vilho K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Hiilesmaa
authors.forename: Sture H M
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Andersson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000097:blood*; D015200:Fluoroimmunoassay; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007249:Inflammation; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein