Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Published on: June 29, 2013
C-reactive protein levels in early pregnancy, fetal growth patterns, and the risk for neonatal complications: the
Gesina D S Ernst1, Layla L de Jonge, Albert Hofman
1Generation R Study Group, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Objective:
We sought to examine the associations of maternal C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with fetal growth and the risks of neonatal complications.
Study Design:
CRP levels were measured in early pregnancy in 6016 women. Main outcome measures were fetal growth in each trimester and neonatal complications.
Results:
As compared to the reference group (CRP levels<5 mg/L), elevated maternal CRP levels (≥25 mg/L) were associated with lower estimated fetal weight in third trimester and lower weight at birth (differences: -29 g, 95% confidence interval [CI], -58 to 0 and -128 g, 95% CI, -195 to -60, respectively). Elevated maternal CRP levels were also associated with an increased risk of a small size for gestational age in the offspring (adjusted odds ratio, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.61-5.36).
Conclusion:
Maternal CRP levels in early pregnancy are associated with fetal growth restriction and increased risks of neonatal complications.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:07Teratogenicity
01:19Rh Blood Group