title: Level of C - reactive protein as an indicator for prognosis of premature uterine contractions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  high concentrations of maternal C-reactive protein have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, and premature uterine contraction may be predicted by elevated levels of C-reactive protein. This may ultimately be simple and cost-effective enough to introduce as a low-risk screening program.
  
  
  METHODS
  an observational case control study was performed from May 1st, 2010 to December 1st, 2010 at Maternity Teaching Hospital-Erbil/ Kurdistan Region/ Iraq. The sample size was (200) cases. Hundred of them were presented with premature uterine contractions at 24(+0)-36(+6) weeks. The other hundred were control group at same gestational ages. The level of C-reactive protein was determined in both groups and both groups were followed till delivery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (93) out of (100) women with premature uterine contractions had elevated level of C-Reactive protein and 91% delivered prematurely while in the control group only (9) out of (100) women had elevated level of C-reactive protein and only 8% of them delivered preterm. Differences were statistically highly significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  C-reactive protein can be used as a biomarker in prediction of premature delivery when it is associated with premature uterine contractions. As well it can be used as a screening test to detect cases that are at risk of premature delivery.
authors.affiliation: Senior registrar, Maternity Teaching Hospital/ Erbil, Iraq.
authors.forename: Bayar M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Najat Nakishbandy
authors.affiliation: Assist, Professor and head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq.
authors.forename: Sabat A M
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Barawi
keywords: C-reactive protein; premature delivery; premature uterine contractions; preterm delivery