Role of maternal serum c-reactive protein levels in early second trimester as a marker of preterm labour: A study protocol

Abstract

Preterm labour is a birth that occurs between 22 and 37 weeks after conception. The primary cause of infant death is preterm birth (PTD), which is linked to long-term neurodevelopmental and behavioural effects for preterm survivors. A maternal vascular disease pathway and an inflammation/infection pathway are two suggested pathways that have collected sufficient evidence. The identification of women who are more likely to develop PTD and the understanding of the underlying physiological mechanisms would be made possible by reliable biomarkers for these pathways. Systemic maternal infections cause elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, which then drive the creation of prostaglandins, which can cause cervical ripening and uterine contractions that result in preterm birth. Women with signs of preterm labour have been found to have high serum levels of proinflammatory which have been prospectively linked to preterm birth. A non-specific biomarker of inflammation, C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant in the innate immune response. The production of C-reactive protein, a serological marker that is readily identifiable, occurs largely in the hepatocytes in response to cytokine releases from the inflammatory site. Cytokines released, by an intrauterine infection go through the maternal bloodstream to the liver, where they activate the production of CRP. Forty-eight hours after stimulation the acute-phase response has reached its maximum and a meaningful measurement can be made from a blood sample. Although the exact cause of inflammation is unknown, modest and long-lasting elevations of CRP have been linked to a range of illnesses, including normal pregnancy. Elevated CRP levels in the peripheral circulation have been connected to the presence of intrauterine infection. It has been investigated to diagnose subclinical infections using the maternal CRP concentration. The purpose of this study is to determine the link between maternal serum CRP and subsequent preterm birth in single pregnant women.