title: C-reactive protein levels at pre-/post-indicated cervical cerclage predict very preterm birth.
abstract: To investigate the relation between serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) at pre-/post-cerclage points and preterm birth at <33 weeks of gestation in women with indicated cervical cerclage (CC).
  
  
  
  Fifty-eight women with CC indicated for a short or soft cervix, but no visible or protruding fetal membranes into the vagina, between 17 and 26 weeks of gestation, were reviewed. Serum CRP levels were examined three times: just before cerclage, and on day 1 and day 2 post-cerclage.
  
  
  
  Serum CRP levels on day 1 and day 2, but not just before cerclage, predicted the occurrence of very preterm birth. In women with cervical dilatation of <3.0 cm, serum CRP levels on post-cerclage day 1 were associated with the increase of very preterm birth [CRP ≥1.5 mg/dL vs. <1.5 mg/dL: 4/5 (80%) vs. 8/31 (26%), P=0.033]. In women with cervical dilatation of <3.0 cm, serum CRP ≥3.0 mg/dL on post-cerclage day 2 was also associated with the increase of very preterm birth.
  
  
  
  In women with indicated CC between 17 and 26 weeks of gestation, increased levels of serum CRP on post-cerclage day 1 or 2 might be ominous signs for very preterm birth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Mami
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Akihide
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ohkuchi
authors.forename: Shigeki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsubara
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Izumi
authors.forename: Chikako
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hirashima
authors.forename: Mitsuaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D023802:Cerclage, Cervical; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007747:Labor Stage, First / Q000097:blood; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D002581:Uterine Cervical Incompetence / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein