title: C-reactive protein levels in early pregnancy, fetal growth patterns, and the risk for neonatal complications: the Generation R Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to examine the associations of maternal C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with fetal growth and the risks of neonatal complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  CRP levels were measured in early pregnancy in 6016 women. Main outcome measures were fetal growth in each trimester and neonatal complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As compared to the reference group (CRP levels<5 mg/L), elevated maternal CRP levels (≥25 mg/L) were associated with lower estimated fetal weight in third trimester and lower weight at birth (differences: -29 g, 95% confidence interval [CI], -58 to 0 and -128 g, 95% CI, -195 to -60, respectively). Elevated maternal CRP levels were also associated with an increased risk of a small size for gestational age in the offspring (adjusted odds ratio, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.61-5.36).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal CRP levels in early pregnancy are associated with fetal growth restriction and increased risks of neonatal complications.
authors.affiliation: Generation R Study Group, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gesina D S
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: Layla L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: de Jonge
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hofman
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lindemans
authors.forename: Henk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Russcher
authors.forename: Eric A P
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Steegers
authors.forename: Vincent W V
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Jaddoe
mesh_terms: D048948:14-3-3 Proteins; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001724:Birth Weight; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005092:Exonucleases; D005095:Exoribonucleases; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D020567:Fetal Weight; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000502:physiology; D008019:Life Style; D008423:Maternal Age; D009426:Netherlands; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D048948:14-3-3 Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005092:Exonucleases; D005095:Exoribonucleases; C413442:SFN protein, human