title: Correlation of CRP levels in third trimester with fetal birth weight in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the levels of C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women and to determine its correlation with fetal birth weight.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analytical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shaikh Zayed Hospital and Gynaecological Unit II of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, from December 2011 to May 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants included 60 cases with preeclampsia and 60 normotensive pregnant women, all in their third trimester. All the participants were in the age group of 20 - 40 years and had a BMI range of 18 - 25. High sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were measured by Enzyme Link Immunosorbent Assay. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS (version 15). The values were considered significant at 0.05 level of significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  C-reactive protein levels were significantly high (p < 0.001) in the preeclamptic group with a median value of 8.8 (0.3 - 25.5) as compared to 5.4 (0.24 - 9.8) mg/l in the normotensive women. The birth weight of babies was also significantly low in the preeclamptic group. The high CRP levels were negatively correlated with fetal birth weight in preeclamptic group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated C-reactive protein levels in the preeclamptic pregnant women is a part of an exaggerated maternal systemic inflammatory response, and correlates with low fetal birth weight.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Shaikh Zayed PGMI, Lahore / Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore / University of Health Sciences, Lahore.
authors.forename: Zaima
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Shaikh Zayed PGMI, Lahore / University of Health Sciences, Lahore.
authors.forename: Faraz Ahmed
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Bokhari
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jinnah Hospital Lahore.
authors.forename: Saima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore.
authors.forename: Uzma
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Zargham
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, CMH Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore.
authors.forename: Ambreen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tauseef
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore.
authors.forename: Shaheena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khakan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001724:Birth Weight; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein