title: Evaluation of a high-sensitivity turbidimetric immunoassay for serum C-reactive protein: application to the study of longitudinal changes throughout normal pregnancy.
abstract: C-Reactive protein has been associated with several complications of pregnancy. The aims of the present study were: (1) to evaluate a turbidimetric immunoassay for the measurement of C-reactive protein; and (2) to investigate the chronological changes of the levels of this protein from preconception throughout normal pregnancy and its relationship with variables associated with preconception and pregnancy outcome. Inter-assay imprecision was <5% for C-reactive protein >1 mg/L and 18% at a mean value of 0.33 mg/L. The limit of detection was 0.10 mg/L. The method was linear between 0.10 and 30 mg/L. There were no observed interferences from jaundice, hemolysis, lipemia or paraproteinemia at the levels studied. There was good agreement with the nephelometric method. A total of 39 women were studied at preconception, at 8, 20 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, and in labor. Preconception C-reactive protein concentration was 1.17+/-0.18 mg/L and increased (p<0.001) throughout pregnancy up to 5.69+/-0.82 mg/L. Body mass index at preconception and weight gain during pregnancy were the main factors associated with this increase in C-reactive protein.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recerca Biomèdica, Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut, Reus, Catalunya, Spain.
authors.forename: Núria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bertran
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Camps
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernández-Ballart
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arija
authors.forename: Natàlia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ferré
authors.forename: Mònica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tous
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joven
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002138:Calibration; D002624:Chemistry, Clinical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein