C-reactive protein as a predictor of threatening preterm delivery.

OBJECTIVES: Preterm deliveries represent still one of the most important problems in contemporary obstetrics. They are associated with prematurity and higher rate of perinatal mortality and morbidity. During the last few years, the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) in prediction of threatening preterm delivery was emphasized. CRP is produced mainly inside the liver as a response to acute and chronic inflammatory processes.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess relations between C-reactive protein, oxytocinase, izooxytocinase and vaginal culture in prediction of preterm delivery.

METHODS: This study was performed in the years 2000-2004 in the Department of Septic Obstetrics and Gynecology of Collegium Medicum of the Jagiellonian University. Some 389 patients hospitalized because of threatening preterm delivery or preterm delivery in tractu were enrolled into the trial.

CONCLUSION: C-reactive protein is a useful marker of threatening preterm delivery, overtaking the results of vaginal culture. CAP1 and CAP2 are effective biochemical markers in pregnancy monitoring.