Abstract:
Background: Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality and is thought to result from exaggerated inflammatory response. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of tissue damage and inflammation. We sought to compare the serum level of CRP in women with preeclampsia with those of normal pregnancy. Method: A comparative study between 25 pregnant women with preeclampsia and 25 normotensive controls was carried out over a 6-month period between January- June 2012 in the antenatal ward of JUTH. Venous blood for CRP levels was taken at diagnosis prior to commencement of medical therapy. The cases and control were matched for age, parity, gestational age and educational status. The CRP concentration was measured using ELISA. Data was analyzed using STATA version 11.0, College station Texas USA. Student t-test was done to determine the difference in the mean serum CRP levels of preeclamptics compared with normotensive control. Bonferroni’s pairwise comparison test was used to compare the level of CRP between those with mild or severe preeclampsia. The level of significance was set at α < 0.05. Categorical variables were compared using chi square test or Fisher exact test where applicable. RESULTS: There was significant difference in CRP levels between those that had preeclampsia and the control (p-0.001). However, there was no difference in CRP levels between those with mild or severe preeclampsia (p-0.184). There was a strong correlation between the levels of CRP and maternal weight (p-0.003). CONCLUSION: Significant difference exists between levels of CRP in women with preeclampsia compared with the normotensive controls, however no difference in the levels of CRP amongst women who had severe and mild preeclampsia. Raised serum CRP could be a useful marker of preeclampsia.
