C-reactive protein as a predictor of fetal and maternal infective morbidity and fetal mortality
De Souza, J.J.; Perlmann, T.; Herman, A.A.; Ransome, O.J.; Kantor, R.W.
South African Medical Journal 71(11): 690-692
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 3589862 Document Number: 299369
The value of maternal C-reactive protein (CRP) levels as predictors of fetal and maternal infective morbidity and fetal mortality was assessed prospectively over a 6-month period in all cases of premature rupture of the fetal membranes or suspected premature labour. Statistical analysis of results showed that CRP at a level of 1.32 mg/dl is a sensitive marker of infective morbidity in mother and neonate. Furthermore, there was a significant association between raised CRP levels and low-birth-weight babies, suggesting that intra-uterine infection is a major cause of prematurity in the study population.