Levels of C-reactive protein in pregnant women who subsequently develop pre-eclampsia

Cysteinyl Leukotriene and Systemic Inflammatory Levels in Preeclampsia

Background In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of cysteinyl leukotriene levels, which play a role in inflammation, in predicting the severity of preeclampsia (PE) and to determine whether this marker can be used as a screening tool. Methods In this cross-sectional analytic study, we classified pregnant women who were normotensive (control) or PE or severe PE (SPE) between March 2019 and July 2019. Singleton pregnant 60 women who met the following criteria for the diagnosis of PE were included in the study group. We identified 30 patients with PE and 30 patients with SPE. Normotensive pregnant women (n=30) who met this criterion were included as a control group by randomly selecting them on odd days of the week. Results All pregnant women who participated in the study had a singleton pregnancy, and maternal age ranged from 18 to 40 years, with a mean age of 28.77±6.37 years. The mean gestational week of the group was 35.54±3.247 weeks. Gestational age was higher in women in the control group (p=0.018), shock index was higher in women in the control group (p < 0.001), and body mass index (BMI) value was lower in this group than in the other groups (p=0.002). The values of mean arterial pressure (MAP) were found to have a strong correlation with shock index value and a weak and negative correlation with gestational week and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (p < 0.05). The mean cysteinyl leukotriene levels of 206.15 pg/mL for the control group, 273.2 pg/mL for PE, and 211.85 pg/mL for SPE were calculated. However, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p=0.707). Conclusion We found that cysteinyl leukotrienes were not clinically important in assessing the risk for developing PE and predicting SPE. Alanine aminotransferase, white blood cell, lymphocyte, C-reactive protein, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and shock index were positively correlated with the value of MAP.

Cancer antigen 125 and C-reactive protein inflammatory mediators and uric acid in association with preeclampsia in North Kordofan State, Western Sudan

Pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia depends on a defective trophoblastic invasion of uteroplacental blood vessels that leads to placental ischemia and induction of an inflammatory process within the placenta. This process may trigger the expression of Cancer antigen 125 (CA 125), C-reactive protein (CRP) and uric acid (UA). This research aimed to evaluate the association of serum CA 125, CRP and uric acid with Preeclampsia. The study recruited 200 singleton Sudanese pregnant women, who were divided into three groups: controls (n = 100), mild preeclampsia (n = 46) and severe preeclampsia (n = 54). The study subjects were matched for maternal age, gestational age and body mass index. Blood samples were taken for measurement of the different variables using immune- assay and enzymatic automated chemical analysis. The levels of CA 125 in mild and severe preeclampsia were (21.94±0.749 IU/ml) and (40.78±1.336 IU/ml) respectively, which was significantly different (P<0.001) from the control mean (16.48±0.584 IU/ml). There was also a significant difference between the mean levels of CRP in mild and severe preeclampsia (15.17±0.788 mg/L), (31.50±1.709 mg/L) compared with controls (4.79±0.178 mg/L), (P<0.01). There was also a significant difference in the mean levels of UA in mild and severe cases (6.44±0.293 and7.37±0.272) in comparison with the controls (4.00±0.061); (P<0.001). There were significant differences between severe and mild groups (P<0.05). Cancer antigen 125, CRP and UA levels‎ correlated positively with mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) where (r >0.7; P < 0.001). ROC curve validates the utility of these biomarkers for monitoring preeclampsia (AUC >0.8; P < 0.001). In conclusion CA 125, CRP and UA were significantly higher in preeclampsia compared with the controls. The rise of the analytes was directly associated with the severity of the disease.

C-Reactive Protein for Prediction or Early Detection of Pre-Eclampsia: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a serious disease of pregnancy and one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality for both the mother and baby. This systematic review aims to detect the role of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) in the detection of PE.

METHODS

Thirty-four articles published between 2001 and 2019 were included in this review. The articles were extracted from OVID Medline and Embase. The study designs of these articles are randomized controlled, cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies evaluating CRP as a marker to predict or early diagnose PE. The quality assessment of these articles is made by the modified Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. Meta-analysis was not done because of clinical and statistical heterogeneity.

RESULTS

A positive association between CRP levels and the development of PE was confirmed in 18 studies. This positive effect was addressed in patients with normal BMI (<25 kg/m2) in 3 studies and in overweight patients in 2 studies. One study addressed this positive association in patients with a BMI ranging between 28 and 31 kg/m2. Three studies determined a cutoff level of CRP above which a significant risk of PE development should be suspected. These levels ranged between 7 and 15 mg/L.

CONCLUSION

CRP is a promising cost-effective biomarker that may be used in the prediction of PE. A CRP level higher than 15 mg/L may suggest initiation of low-dose aspirin in low-risk pregnancies.

Inflammatory Markers and Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Preeclampsia (PE), a serious and variable pregnancy complication affecting 5%-10% of the obstetric population, has an undetermined etiology, yet inflammation is concomitant with its development, particularly in relation to endothelial dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the published evidence concerning an association between PE and inflammatory markers for their usefulness in the prediction or early identification of women with PE in antepartum clinical settings.

METHODS

In this systematic review, we used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health and MEDLINE/OVID were the electronic databases used for identifying published articles. We placed no time limit on the publication year.

RESULTS

The search generated 798 articles. After removing duplicates, screening abstracts, and conducting full-text reviews, we retained 73 articles and examined 57 unique markers. This review shows that C-reactive protein and the cytokines, specifically the proinflammatory markers IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, garner the most support as potential inflammatory markers for clinical surveillance of PE, particularly during the second and third trimesters.

DISCUSSION

Based on this review, we cannot recommend any single inflammatory marker for routine clinical use to predict/identify PE onset or progression. Research is recommended to examine a combination panel of these four inflammatory markers both with and without clinical risk factors toward the goal of translation to practice.

Associations between repeated ultrasound measures of fetal growth and biomarkers of maternal oxidative stress and inflammation in pregnancy

PROBLEM

Perturbations in normal fetal growth during pregnancy are associated with poor child and adult health outcomes. Inflammation and oxidative stress are recognized as important mechanisms in preeclampsia and preterm birth but have been examined less in relation to fetal growth. We hypothesized that maternal inflammation and oxidative stress in pregnancy would be associated with reduced fetal growth and sought to identify windows of vulnerability.

METHOD OF STUDY

In a secondary analysis of 482 women from the LIFECODES birth cohort study, we measured inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP] and the cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α) and oxidative stress (8-isoprostane and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine [8-OHdG]) biomarkers in plasma and urine, respectively, at four time points during pregnancy. We examined associations between repeated measures of each marker and ultrasound (head and abdominal circumference, femur length, and a summary measure of estimated fetal weight) as well as delivery (birthweight) metrics of growth.

RESULTS

In adjusted repeated-measures models, an interquartile range (IQR) increase in CRP was associated with a 0.12 standard deviation decrease in fetal weight z-score (95% confidence interval, CI, -0.21, -0.02), which corresponds to approximately 50 g at 40-week gestation. The association was greatest in magnitude (ie, most negative) with CRP measured later in pregnancy. Oxidative stress markers were not associated with fetal weight, although both were inversely associated with head circumference and femur length.

CONCLUSION

Inflammation and oxidative stress markers measured later in pregnancy were associated with reduced fetal growth as measured by repeated ultrasound scans.

Level of High Sensitive C-reactive Protein and Procalcitonin in Pregnant Women with Mild and Severe Preeclampsia

Background:

In this study, we compare the level of two inflammatory markers, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT), in pregnant women with mild and severe preeclampsia (PE) and women with normal pregnancy.

Materials and Methods:

In this case–control study, normal pregnant women and pregnant women with PE were enrolled. Pregnant women with diagnosed PE were selected as case group and classified into two groups with mild and severe PE. Serum samples for measurement of hs-CRP and PCT were obtained and compared in studied groups.

Results:

In this study, 50 normal pregnant women and 59 pregnant women with PE, 26 (44.1%) mild, and 33 (55.9%) severe were studied. Mean of hs-CRP and PCT was higher in pregnant women with PE than normal pregnant women (7.71 ± 6.19 vs. 5.44 ± 3.94, P = 0.02 for hs-CRP and 0.05 ± 0.03 vs. 0.04 ± 0.01, P = 0.001 for PCT). Area under curve for hs-CRP and PCT was 0.611 and 0.646, respectively. The optimal cut-off point for hs-CRP was 5.24 with a sensitivity of 62.7% and a specificity of 56%. The optimal cut-off point for PCT was 0.042 with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 54%.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study indicated that higher level of hs-CRP and PCT in pregnant women with PE than those with normal pregnancy could potentially explain the exaggerated inflammation in PE. Regarding significantly increased level of hs-CRP in severe PE than mild PE, we could suggest that hs-CRP is more appropriate marker for investigating pregnant women with severe PE, and its clinical usefulness is superior to PCT in this regard.

C-Reactive Protein in Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy

Hypertension is the most frequent medical complication of pregnancy. A recent report demonstrates the flogistic pathogenesis of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Because C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation, it can be used in the differential diagnosis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. A total of 322 pregnant women at 24 to 32 weeks’ gestation were enrolled. The control group (A) comprised 190 women. Sixty-three women had preeclampsia (PE, group B), 31 women presented transient hypertension (TH, group C), 19 had HELLP syndrome (HS, group D) and 19 had chronic hypertension (CH, group E). CRP serum concentrations were significantly higher in groups B, C, and D in comparison with the group A. In the whole population, systolic and diastolic pressure value inversely correlate with weight at delivery and weeks of gestation at delivery. CPR levels in patients with PE and HS inversely correlate with birth weight and gestational week at delivery. Normal plasma levels of CRP may be an important marker of differential diagnosis between TH and CH. In TH, PE, and HS, CRP levels were higher than in the control and CH groups, suggesting that inflammation may be the common pathogenetic cause of TH and PE. Finally CRP levels in preeclampsia are believed to correlate with preeclamptic process severity.

Prognostic Value of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Measured in the First-Trimester on the Severity of Preeclampsia

Recent studies have suggested that preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease may share common mechanisms. The purpose of this prospective nested case-controlled study was to characterize a variety of cardiovascular disease risk factors measured during the first trimester of pregnancy in predicting subsequent outcomes and the severity of preeclampsia.We ascertained the severity of preeclampsia at the onset of the disease, and the presence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). We compared first trimester maternal serum cardiovascular disease risk factors in preeclampsia subjects versus normal pregnancies, early-onset versus late-onset preeclampsia, and preeclampsia with IUGR versus without IUGR. To identify the prognostic value of independent predictors on the severity of preeclampsia, we calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) using logistic regression analysis.There were 134 cases of preeclampsia and 150 uncomplicated pregnancies, and preeclampsia cases were classified as early-onset (53 cases) or late-onset (81 cases), or as with IUGR (44 cases) or without IUGR (90 cases). Among the cardiovascular disease risk factors, maternal serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and homocysteine were predictors of both early-onset preeclampsia and preeclampsia with IUGR. For the detection of early onset preeclampsia or preeclampsia with IUGR, the AUC for the combination model (0.943 and 0.952, respectively) was significantly higher than with serum hsCRP or serum homocysteine only.Patients with preeclampsia can be subdivided into different severities according to time of onset and fetal weight. Cardiovascular risk factors distinguish a subgroup of these patients.

A Dormant Microbial Component in the Development of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE) is a complex, multisystem disorder that remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy. Four main classes of dysregulation accompany PE and are widely considered to contribute to its severity. These are abnormal trophoblast invasion of the placenta, anti-angiogenic responses, oxidative stress, and inflammation. What is lacking, however, is an explanation of how these themselves are caused. We here develop the unifying idea, and the considerable evidence for it, that the originating cause of PE (and of the four classes of dysregulation) is, in fact, microbial infection, that most such microbes are dormant and hence resist detection by conventional (replication-dependent) microbiology, and that by occasional resuscitation and growth it is they that are responsible for all the observable sequelae, including the continuing, chronic inflammation. In particular, bacterial products such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), also known as endotoxin, are well known as highly inflammagenic and stimulate an innate (and possibly trained) immune response that exacerbates the inflammation further. The known need of microbes for free iron can explain the iron dysregulation that accompanies PE. We describe the main routes of infection (gut, oral, and urinary tract infection) and the regularly observed presence of microbes in placental and other tissues in PE. Every known proteomic biomarker of "preeclampsia" that we assessed has, in fact, also been shown to be raised in response to infection. An infectious component to PE fulfills the Bradford Hill criteria for ascribing a disease to an environmental cause and suggests a number of treatments, some of which have, in fact, been shown to be successful. PE was classically referred to as endotoxemia or toxemia of pregnancy, and it is ironic that it seems that LPS and other microbial endotoxins really are involved. Overall, the recognition of an infectious component in the etiology of PE mirrors that for ulcers and other diseases that were previously considered to lack one.

The role of cytokines as inflammatory mediators in preeclampsia

Introduction

This study is to determine the concentrations of IL-6, TNF α, and C reactive protein (CRP) in women with severe preeclampsia, and compare with those of gestational age- matched normotensive pregnant women and to correlate CRP levels with markers of organ damage in women with preeclampsia.

Methods

This was a case control study of fifty women with severe preeclampsia and fifty gestational age matched pregnant women with normal blood pressure. The women were drawn from The Antenatal Clinic of The Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Severe pre eclampsia was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥160 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥110mmHg and ≥2+ of proteinuria. After obtaining an informed consent, each participant completed a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire sought information on socio-demographic and clinical data. From each participant, mid-stream urine was collected for urinalysis and culture, and blood sample was collected for biochemical analysis. Comparisons of continuous variables and categorical variables were done using the Student's t test and Chi square test respectively. Correlation analysis was used to determine the associations between variables. Statistical significance was set at P

Results

The women were similar in their socio demographic characteristics. There was a statistically significant difference in the systolic blood pressure (p < 0.0001), diastolic blood pressure ( p < 0.0001), uric acid ( p < 0.0001), AST ( p < 0.0001), ALP ( p < 0.0001), creatinine ( p < 0.0013), GGT ( p < 0.005), IL 6 ( p < 0.021), CRP ( p < 0.0002), and TNF α ( p < 0.023), between the group with severe preeclampsia and the group with normal blood pressure. This study also reports a significant association between CRP and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, uric acid AST and ALP (p

Conclusion

The inflammatory cytokines, IL6, TNF α and CRP are elevated in severe preeclampsia and may mediate some of the clinical manifestations of the disorder. A role may exist for anti inflammatory agents in the management of women with preeclampsia.

Evaluation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and serum lipid profile in southeastern Nigerian women with pre-eclampsia

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipid profile in women with pre-eclampsia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-five women with and 35 women without pre-eclampsia, who were in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, were enrolled in this study. Weight in kilogrammes and height in metres were measured to calculate the mean body mass index (BMI) for each group. The diastolic and systolic blood pressures were measured. Lipid profile tests and serum CRP assay were done for all patients. Total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined using enzymatic methods, while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated using Friedewald's formula.

RESULTS

The mean values of the BMI were 29.47 ± 6.90 versus 26.14 ± 2.92, of the diastolic blood pressure 109.14 ± 15.41 versus 72.29 ± 9.42 mm Hg and of the systolic blood pressure 170.57 ± 19.55 versus 120.86 ± 17.72 mm Hg for women with and without pre-eclampsia, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (p = 0.012, p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). The biochemical analysis also indicated that the women with pre-eclampsia had a significantly higher mean serum CRP (8.57 ± 2.68 vs. 6.46 ± 2.46 mg/l, p = 0.001), TG (2.84 ± 0.45 vs. 1.87 ± 0.38 mmol/l, p = 0.001) and total cholesterol (5.59 ± 0.92 vs. 4.63 ± 0.78 mmol/l, p = 0.001) level but a lower mean HDL-C (1.10 ± 0.12 vs. 1.26 ± 0.15 mmol/l, p = 0.001) level than the controls. There was no statistical difference in the mean LDL-C values between the 2 groups (1.58 ± 0.8 vs. 1.45 ± 0.78 mmol/l, p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Significant changes in CRP as well as TG, total cholesterol and HDL-C were associated with pre-eclampsia in these Southeastern Nigerian women.

Early predictors of gestational hypertension in a low-risk cohort. Results of a pilot study

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the clinical or biochemical markers used in pregnancy can be applied as early predictors of gestational hypertension.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

POPULATION

315 pregnant women referred from the Prenatal Diagnosis Unit between weeks 10-13 of pregnancy and followed up to the childbirth.

METHODS

Biomarkers were measured in serum specimens in the first and second trimester of pregnancy. Blood pressure (BP) was measured in the first, second and third trimester.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of gestational hypertension was 6.01%. In the first trimester gestational hypertension predictors were uric acid greater than 3.15 mg/dl (P=0.01), BMI greater than 24 kg/m (P=0.003) SBP at least 120 mmHg (P=0.02) and DBP at least 71 mmHg (P=0.007). After applied multivariate analysis just uric acid and SBP were statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

In our cohort of healthy pregnant women uric acid above 3.15 mg/dl and SBP at least 120 mmHg are consistent predictors of gestational hypertension in the first trimester. The most important implication of our study is the possibility to identify in the first trimester women at risk to develop gestational hypertension using available markers.

Inflammatory markers in the second trimester prior to clinical onset of preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and spontaneous preterm birth

Low-grade inflammation has been associated with pregnancy complications including preeclampsia (PE), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and spontaneous preterm birth (SPB). In an unmatched, nested case-control study, we assessed the possible predictive association of maternal C-reactive protein (CRP), interferon-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in second trimester plasma samples in relation to later development of PE (n = 29), IUGR (n = 53), and SPB (n = 9). Inflammatory marker levels in these groups were compared to normotensive healthy pregnant controls (n = 127). We found no statistically significant difference in CRP, IP-10, or suPAR in second trimester plasma samples from pregnant women with later PE, IUGR, and SPB when compared to normotensive healthy controls. Second trimester plasma samples of CRP, IP-10, and suPAR cannot be used as a prognostic marker for PE, IUGR, and SPB.

C-reactive protein and later preeclampsia: systematic review and meta-analysis taking into account the weight status

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to determine whether high C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration during pregnancy is associated with later preeclampsia and whether weight status (BMI) is a potential modifier of the relation between CRP and preeclampsia.

METHODS

Twenty-three studies were included in a systematic literature review and a subset of 18 in a meta-analysis. Weighted mean difference (WMD) [with their 95% confidence intervals (CI)] of CRP in preeclampsia and control groups was the estimator. A quality assessment was carried out using a scale specifically developed for this study. Meta-regression with estimates for study characteristics and inter-arm differences and sensitivity and subgroup analysis was employed. Statistical heterogeneity was investigated using I(2) statistic.

RESULTS

The pooled estimated CRP between 727 women, who developed preeclampsia and 3538 controls was 2.30 mg/l (95% CI: 1.27-3.34). The heterogeneity among studies was high (I(2) = 92.8). The WMD was found to be lower in studies comprising preeclampsia and control groups with similar BMI [WMD = 0.85 (95% CI: 0.10-1.61); I(2) = 25.3%] compared with studies among which BMI was significantly elevated in the preeclampsia group [2.01 (95% CI: 1.23-2.78); I(2) = 0.0%], which may explain the high heterogeneity of pooled data. Meta-regression results confirmed that difference in BMI between groups modifies the association of CRP and preeclampsia. High quality studies represented 30%.

CONCLUSION

The pooled WMD suggest that women with higher levels of CRP may have an increased risk of developing preeclampsia. This association seems to be modified by confounders, such as BMI. Further studies of high methodological quality are needed.

A comparative study of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and high-sensitive C-reactive protein in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies

BACKGROUND

Preeclampsia is characterized by hypertension, dyslipidemia, and systemic inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to determine the level of serum level of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in preeclampsia and to compare normal pregnant, mild preeclamptic, and severe preeclamptic women.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the plasma concentrations of sVCAM-1 and hsCRP in peripheral blood obtained from normal pregnant (n = 40), mild preeclamptic (n = 37), and severe preeclamptic women (n = 38). A concentration of soluble adhesion molecule was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. hsCRP was measured with immunoturbidometric.

RESULTS

There was significant difference in the means serum hsCRP between normal pregnant women and mild preeclamptic women (P < 0.05). Serum concentration of hsCRP and sVCAM-1 (ng/mL) were significantly higher in severe preeclampsia (P < 0.05) than normal pregnancy. There were also significant differences in hsCRP and sVCAM-1 levels between mild and severe (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the mean sVCAM-1 between normal pregnant and mild preeclamptic women.

CONCLUSION

We have determined the serum concentration of VCAM-1 and hsCRP in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. sVCAM-1 is elevated in severe preeclampsia compared with normal pregnancy, and hsCRP is elevated in severe preeclampsia compared with mild preeclampsia and normal pregnancy.

Increased insulin resistance and C-reactive protein in women with complete hydatidiform mole

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate (i) insulin resistance and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in women with complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) and (ii) whether there were any correlations between these parameters and CHM.

METHODS

Thirty-two women with CHM and 30 healthy pregnant women were enrolled in the study. Fasting serum glucose and insulin levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Insulin resistance was calculated by the homeostasis model assessment ratio (HOMA-IR).

RESULTS

Fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, CRP, and TG levels were higher, and HDL was lower among patients with CHM compared with healthy pregnant group (p < 0.05 for all). There were positive associations between CHM status and glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, CRP, TG levels and had a negative correlation with HDL (p < 0.05 for all). The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis value for HOMA-IR in CHM was 0.96 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.92-1.00), sensitivity = 94%, and specificity = 87%. The area under ROC curve value for CRP was 0.72 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.58-0.84), sensitivity = 82%, and specificity = 60% in CHM.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin resistance and CRP were found to be higher among patients with CHM. These parameters were also closely associated with CHM. Further studies are needed to investigate the nature of this link in this group.

Does C-reactive protein predict recurrent preeclampsia?

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate association of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein with recurrent preeclampsia.

METHODS

Serum samples collected longitudinally in women with previous preeclampsia from the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network trial of aspirin to prevent preeclampsia were assayed for CRP.

RESULTS

Of 255 women studied, 50 developed recurrence. Baseline C-reactive protein concentration was similar between women who did and did not recur. After adjusting for confounders, neither elevated baseline C-reactive protein nor its change over gestation was associated with recurrence.

CONCLUSION

In this group of women with previous preeclampsia, neither baseline C-reactive protein concentration nor change in concentration over gestation was associated with recurrent preeclampsia.

Combining biochemical and ultrasonographic markers in predicting preeclampsia: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Early identification of pregnant women at risk for preeclampsia is a priority to implement preventive measures. Some biochemical and ultrasonographic parameters have shown promising predictive performance, but so far there is no clinically validated screening procedure.

CONTENT

Using a series of keywords, we reviewed electronic databases (Medline, Embase, all records to May 2009) reporting the performance of biological and ultrasonographic markers to predict preeclampsia, both single markers and combinations of markers. We analyzed the data according to gestational age and risk levels of the studied populations. We evaluated the methodological quality of included publications using QUADAS (quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies). We identified 37 relevant studies that assessed 71 different combinations of biochemical and ultrasonographic markers. Most studies were performed during the second trimester on small-scale high-risk populations with few cases of preeclampsia. Combinations of markers generally led to an increase in sensitivity and/or specificity compared with single markers. In low-risk populations, combinations including placental protein 13 (PP13), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), a disintegrin and metalloprotease-12 (ADAM12), activin A, or inhibin A measured in first or early second trimester and uterine artery Doppler in second trimester appear promising (sensitivity 60%-80%, specificity >80%). In high-risk populations, the combination of PP13 and pulsatility index in first trimester showed 90% sensitivity and 90% specificity in a single study limited to severe preeclampsia.

SUMMARY

Combinations of biochemical and ultrasonographic markers improved the performance of early prediction of preeclampsia. From a perspective of integrative medicine, large population-based studies evaluating algorithms combining multiple markers are needed, if screening approaches are to be eventually implemented.

CA-125 and CRP are elevated in preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship between the cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) and C-reactive protein (CRP) with preeclampsia and eclampsia.

METHODS

The study group included 54 preeclamptic/eclamptic women, and 56 healthy pregnant women served as the control group. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and albumin levels were used to monitor the severity of disease. CRP and CA-125 levels were determined. The cut-offs for CRP and CA-125 were 5 mg/L and 35 IU/ml. The t-test, Pearson correlation and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. Values of p < 0.05 were considered to be significant.

RESULTS

CRP and CA-125 parameters were significantly higher in the study group (p < 0.001), and were significantly higher in severe preeclampsia and eclampsia groups than in mild preeclampsia (p < 0.001). Significant correlations were found between CRP/MAP, CRP/albumin, CA-125/MAP and CA-125/albumin (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

CRP and CA-125 are elevating markers in preeclampsia.

Markers for Presymptomatic Prediction of Preeclampsia and Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction are both characterized by placental malfunction. The pathological processes of abnormal trophoblast invasion, partial absence of maternal spiral artery modification, increased apoptosis of trophoblast cells, and placental ischemia are all associated with the release of specific molecules. These proteins, as well as cell-free fetal DNA and RNA might be detected in the maternal peripheral circulation, quantified, and used for early identification and prediction of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, prior to the appearance of the clinical symptoms. As preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction are associated with increased maternal, perinatal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality, early identification of these pregnancy associated complications will permit the design of appropriate preventive measures. In this review a variety of factors reported to be useful as potential markers for early detection of pregnancies at increased risk will be discussed. Molecules associated with the establishment of the placenta and essential in fetal-maternal interactions, like interleukin 2-receptor, insulinlike growth factor-1, and insulinlike growth factor binding protein-1, placenta growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, inhibin A, activin A, and human chorionic gonadotrophin seem to be the most likely candidates for presymptomatic markers for preeclampsia and/or intrauterine growth restriction. Detection and discrimination of these molecules through the placental RNA in maternal plasma based strategy has become a realistic option.

Adhesion molecules changes at 20 gestation weeks in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia

OBJECTIVES

To examine soluble E-selectin, L-selectin, P-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 levels in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies. To determine cut-offs useful for preeclampsia early detection.

STUDY DESIGN

A cohort of nulliparous women was recruited at family medicine clinics in Mexico City. Preeclampsia developed in 75 patients; 125 normotensive controls were matched. Adhesion molecules were assessed in serum obtained at 20 gestation weeks and in third trimester pregnancies. Predictive values and odds ratios for preeclampsia development were calculated with the 20 gestation week results. Threshold values were selected based on ROC curves values.

RESULTS

In women with subsequent preeclampsia, sL-selectin and sVCAM-1 concentrations were significantly lower, whereas sE-selectin, sP-selectin and sICAM-1 levels were significantly higher, compared with controls at mid-pregnancy (p<0.05). The odds ratio for low sL-selectin was 25.6 (95% CI, 8.9-73.5; cut-off, 1414 ng/ml). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of low sL-selectin for preeclampsia development were 84, 90, 39, and 98%, respectively, whereas its sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for severe preeclampsia development (cut-off, 1210 ng/ml) were 100, 98, 60, and 100%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Early enhanced activation of endothelial cells, platelets and leukocytes seem to be present in preeclamptic patients, especially in those that develop severe preeclampsia. Low sL-selectin levels at 20 gestation weeks may be an indicator of preeclampsia development.

Effects of an antiatherogenic diet during pregnancy on markers of maternal and fetal endothelial activation and inflammation: the CARRDIP study

Objective

To study the effect of an antiatherogenic diet on maternal and cord blood concentrations of systemic biomarkers of endothelial cell activation, haemostasis and inflammation.

Design

Single blinded randomised controlled clinical trial.

Setting

Obstetric outpatient clinic and maternity unit of a university hospital in Norway.

Population

Nonsmoking pregnant women aged 21–38 years carrying a single fetus and with no previous pregnancy-related complications.

Methods

Subjects (n = 290) were randomised to continue their usual diet or to adopt a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol from gestational week 17–20 to birth. Soluble forms of cellular adhesion molecules, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and haemostatic markers were measured at 17–20 weeks of gestation (baseline) and subsequently up to week 36. All the above, except CRP, were also measured in cord blood.

Main outcome measures

Concentrations of maternal and fetal biomarkers and maternal CRP.

Results

All biomarkers except CRP levels increased significantly during the study period in both the intervention and control groups. None of the maternal or fetal biomarkers were influenced by the intervention (P > 0.05) except for a tendency to lower concentrations of cord blood tissue plasminogen activator antigen in the intervention group compared with the control group, median (interquartile range) 5.4 ng/ml (3.1–7.7) versus 5.8 ng/ml (3.5–11.8), P = 0.05.

Conclusion

An antiatherogenic diet in pregnancy did not significantly influence maternal or fetal blood concentrations of a range of biomarkers for inflammation. Thus, the previously reported effects of a cholesterol-lowering diet on maternal lipid profile and preterm delivery (<37 complete weeks of gestation) do not seem to involve changes in the systemic inflammatory responses of pregnancy.

Combining mid-trimester maternal plasma homocysteine with uterine artery doppler velocimetry: is it useful?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the possible association between mid-trimester maternal plasma homocysteine concentration, uterine artery Doppler measurements in a two-stage screening strategy, and outcome of pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective observational study was conducted on healthy women undergoing screening for pre-eclampsia by uterine artery Doppler velocimetry at 20-22 and 24-26 weeks of gestation. Abnormal uterine artery blood flow was defined as an average resistance index (RI) > 0.58 and/or bilateral early diastolic notch. Homocysteine measurement was performed by two competitive immunoassay methods involving two steps at 20-22 and 24-26 weeks' gestation.

RESULTS

Sixty women enrolled. Abnormal Doppler findings were found in 18 of 60 (30%) women at 20-22 weeks of gestation. This proportion was reduced to 10% (6/60) at 24-26 weeks of gestation, and two of these six women developed pre-eclampsia later in pregnancy. There was no significant difference in the maternal plasma homocysteine levels in women with abnormal Doppler findings when compared with controls at first and second visits (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Mid-trimester maternal homocysteine concentration is not elevated in women with abnormal uterine artery Doppler findings in a two-stage screening method.

Pre-eclampsia: contribution of maternal constitutional factors and the consequences for cardiovascular health

1. Pre-eclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy that is potentially life threatening for both the mother and baby. It encompasses a number of abnormalities that may be present in other clinical conditions. 2. A placenta is essential for the development of pre-eclampsia and can be important in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Normal pregnancy is associated with remodelling of the maternal spiral arteries, which deliver blood to the placental villous space. Remodelling involves invasion by placental cytotrophoblasts that cause the maternal spiral arteries to lose their smooth muscle and become capacitance vessels; this process, known as placentation, is complete by 20 weeks of pregnancy. Poor placentation is associated with small-for-gestational-age fetuses and some cases of pre-eclampsia. It is thought that poor placentation can result in a hypoxic placenta that releases 'toxic substances' into the maternal circulation, contributing to the maternal syndrome. A number of candidate 'toxic substances' have been proposed, but none is universally raised in pre-eclampsia. 3. Although the placenta is necessary for the development of pre-eclampsia, the extent to which placental abnormalities contribute to the condition varies. It is becoming apparent that maternal constitutional factors may also be important in this syndrome. Underlying hypertension, diabetes and obesity strongly predispose to pre-eclampsia. However, a continuum of risk may exist for blood pressure, bodyweight, glucose and lipids, which, in combination with each other and some degree of placental abnormalities, may lead to the development of pre-eclampsia. 4. The present review will focus on the maternal constitutional factors that define the metabolic syndrome and examine their contribution to pre-eclampsia and the long-term consequences for cardiovascular health.

Shared and disparate components of the pathophysiologies of fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia differ in their association with maternal disease but share a similar placental pathology. Moreover, mothers who have had pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia or IUGR are at elevated later-life cardiovascular risk. Why, then, do some women develop IUGR and others develop preeclampsia? In this clinical opinion, based on a review of the literature, we hypothesize that both women experiencing preeclampsia and IUGR enter pregnancy with some degree of endothelial dysfunction, a lesion that predisposes to shallow placentation. In our opinion, preeclampsia develops when abnormal placentation, through the mediator of elevated circulating cytokines, interacts with maternal metabolic syndrome, comprised of adiposity, insulin resistance/hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and coagulopathy. IUGR develops in the absence of antenatal metabolic syndrome. Among these women, the baby is affected by shallow placentation but the mother does not develop clinically apparent disease. This conceptualization provides a testable framework for future etiologic studies of preeclampsia and IUGR.

Fluctuations in C-reactive protein concentration and neutrophil activation during normal human pregnancy

OBJECTIVES

To clarify the changes in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and in the neutrophil activation state during normal human pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A longitudinal study (n=23) was performed during the three trimesters of pregnancy; a group of non-pregnant women (n=24) was used as control. Total and differential leukocyte count, serum concentration of CRP and plasma levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and of lactoferrin and elastase (two indirect markers of neutrophil activation) were measured.

RESULTS

Pregnancy imposed an inflammatory response in the mother, observed by the significant increment in total white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil counts and in the circulating levels of CRP, GM-CSF and lactoferrin, in all trimesters of gestation compared with non-pregnant controls. Plasma elastase concentration was also significantly higher in pregnant women, but only in the first trimester of gestation. Regarding the ratios of lactoferrin and elastase per neutrophil, they were significantly lower in pregnant women (all trimesters). During gestation, WBC and neutrophil count increased significantly from the first to the second trimester and remained high in the third period. In contrast, the ratios of lactoferrin and elastase per neutrophil decreased significantly from the first to the second trimester, remaining low in the last trimester. Concerning CRP levels, no consistent changes were observed throughout gestation; 12 cases (52.2%) presented fluctuations, whereas 7 (30.4%) showed progressive reductions and 4 (17.4%) progressive increments throughout pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in CRP levels vary in a wide manner between subjects along pregnancy, even though median values are consistently elevated throughout pregnancy. Moreover, circulating levels of neutrophil-activation products are higher in normal human gestation.

Association of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein with severity of preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of plasma fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) in preeclampsia and their association with the severity of the disease.

STUDY DESIGN

CRP and plasma levels of fibrinogen were investigated in 26 cases of normal pregnant women, 26 cases with mild preeclampsia and 26 cases with severe preeclampsia in the third trimester of pregnancy. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was used as an indicator of the severity of the disease. Analysis of variance with the Kruskal-Wallis test was used when three groups were compared. For correlations, Spearman's rank correlation tests were used. A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of CRP.

RESULTS

Plasma CRP and fibrinogen levels in mild and severe preeclampsia patients were markedly higher than that of normal third trimester pregnant women. There were significant correlations between MAP and CRP (r = 0.515, p = 0.0001) and MAP and fibrinogen parameters (r = 0.383, p = 0.005) in pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia.

CONCLUSION

We found higher levels of fibrinogen and CRP and presence of good correlation between CRP and MAP in preeclampsia.

Factors predisposing to pre-eclampsia in women with gestational diabetes

BACKGROUND

Lipid abnormalities occur before the onset of pre-eclampsia but their role in its pathogenesis is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that lipid abnormalities precede and contribute to the development of pre-eclampsia using women with gestational diabetes (GDM) as a focus population.

METHODS

One hundred and eighty-four women with a diagnosis of GDM were studied. Anthropometry, blood pressure, fasting lipids, glucose homeostasis, markers of inflammation and endothelial damage were measured and family history of disease was assessed to determine those measures at diagnosis of GDM that best predicted the development of pre-eclampsia.

RESULTS

Twelve percent of women with GDM developed pre-eclampsia. At diagnosis of GDM, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were not different in women who subsequently developed pre-eclampsia (GDM-PE). GDM-PE had elevated body mass index, blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin, uric acid, and C-reactive protein (CRP), which have all been linked with the 'metabolic syndrome'. They had a greater degree of microalbuminuria and more frequently reported a family history of hypertension and maternal gestational diabetes. In logistic regression, the significant independent predictors for developing pre-eclampsia were fasting glucose, CRP, a family history of hypertension and the proband's mother having gestational diabetes.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that, in GDM, increased severity of insulin resistance and related features of the 'metabolic syndrome', rather than lipid abnormalities, are precursors to the development of pre-eclampsia and hence are likely to be implicated in the pathophysiology of this disorder. Moreover, these women are likely to be at particularly high risk of long-term cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Serum highly sensitive C-reactive protein in preterm premature rupture of membranes

OBJECTIVE

Low-grade inflammation may raise serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. We studied whether serum CRP is altered in preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), which is frequently associated with an asymptomatic intrauterine infection.

STUDY DESIGN

CRP was quantitated with highly sensitive immunofluorometric (IFMA) and immunoenzymometric (IEMA) assays in 32 women with PPROM at 30.7+/-0.4 gestational weeks (mean+/-standard error of the mean) and in 27 gestational age-matched healthy women. The results were compared to those obtained by the conventional immunoturbidimetric method.

RESULTS

Twenty-three PPROM patients had a normal CRP value (</=12mg/l) by immunoturbidimetry. Their highly sensitive CRP value was not different from that of controls. During the observation period of 11+/-3 days after PPROM, an increase in the highly sensitive CRP was observed in patients whose immunoturbidimetric CRP remained normal (n=10).

CONCLUSION

The increase in the highly sensitive CRP in PPROM patients with constantly normal immunoturbidimetric CRP may reflect the presence of a subclinical inflammation.

Prenatal screening, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of preeclampsia

The cause of preeclampsia remains unknown. The disease manifests itself across a broad clinical spectrum from mild to severe, conferring vastly different morbidities and suggesting possibly different disease processes. Oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, maternal-fetal immune incompatibility, and abnormal placental implantation are among the suggested causes. The need for a marker or set of markers that allow for definitive diagnosis and assessment of future risk of preeclampsia is tremendous. Ultrasound techniques and several markers have been identified that are increased among patients with preeclampsia, but no test is highly sensitive. In the future, a combination of markers likely will be used to assess risk and, establish the diagnosis, and test treatment strategies. Such an approach would allow for more refined treatment studies of patients who are at highest risk for preeclampsia.

Elevated C-reactive protein levels during first trimester of pregnancy are indicative of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of tissue damage and inflammation. Maternal levels of CRP are elevated in overt preeclampsia, but there is still debate about its use as a predictive marker for preeclampsia during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. In this study, we measured CRP levels during the first trimester of pregnancy in women who later developed preeclampsia or gave birth to a growth-restricted baby. In total, 107 women from a low-risk population participated in the study, six women developed preeclampsia and nine gave birth to a growth-restricted baby. Although there is a large overlap in measured CRP levels between the three groups, mean CRP levels were significantly elevated in women who later developed preeclampsia (P=0.031) or delivered a growth-restricted baby (P=0.041) when compared with women from the control group, matched for maternal and gestational age, parity, and gravidity. This study shows that in a low-risk population, CRP levels are already elevated between weeks 10 and 14 in pregnant women who develop preeclampsia or deliver a growth-restricted baby.