C-reactive protein responsein utero

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Abstract
C-reactive protein concentration was determined by enzyme immunoassay in fetal serum (gestational ages 15–38 weeks) from a group of 91 patients undergoing fetoscopy. Matched amniotic fluid or maternal serum samples were obtained from the majority of these patients. C-reactive protein levels were also determined in 90 cord serum samples (gestational ages 29–42 weeks) from uneventful deliveries, forceps deliveries, caesarean sections and vaginal deliveries where maternal pyrexia was recorded. C-reactive protein concentration ranged from > 10–200 μg/1 in 91 per cent of fetal and cord serum samples. The protein is present in fetal serum as early as 15 weeks of gestational age. In fetuses > 20 weeks, 50 per cent had serum levels < 10 μg/1 and 36 per cent had serum levels < 200 μg/1. Throughout pregnancy the fetus can produce an apparently independent C-reactive protein response following intra-uterine stimulation. Raised fetal levels are associated with both raised amniotic fluid and raised maternal serum levels. Fetal serum C-reactive protein concentrations above 200 μg/1 are associated with a poor fetal outcome. Raised cord serum levels are associated with prolonged labour and raised maternal serum levels. Cord serum C-reactive protein concentrations above 200 μg/1 are associated with infection.
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