C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN PATIENTS WITH PREECLAMPSIA

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of raised C-reactive protein in patients with preeclampsia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This descriptive case series study of six months was conducted on Preeclamptic ladies at Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad. The inclusion criteria were pregnant women, ≥19 years of age, had third trimester of gestation (28-40 weeks), diagnosed as had preeclampsia on the basis of clinical history & examination, systolic blood pressure >140mmHg and diastolic blood pressure >90mmHg and had proteinuria. The relevant preeclamptic ladies were further evaluated for serum C-reactive protein while the data was recorded on pre-designed proforma and analyzed in SPSS 16. The frequency and percentage and mean ±SD was computed for study variables. RESULTS: During six months study period total fifty patients with preeclampsia were evaluated for CRP. The mean ±SD for age (years), gestational age (weeks) and CRP (mg/L) of whole population was 32.77±4.83, 33.76±4.62 and 22.82 ± 6.85. The C-reactive protein was raised in 33 (66%) participants and majority 24 (72.7%) were among 19-29 years of maternal age and 28-29 (weeks) gestational age group 20 (60%). CONCLUSION: Serum CRP levels was high in preeclamptic patients suggesting its role oxidative stress, inflammation and considered as a diagnostic utility. Keywords: Preeclampsia, C-reactive protein and Acute phase protein.