C-reactive protein levels at pre-/post-indicated cervical cerclage predict very preterm birth.

AIMS: To investigate the relation between serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) at pre-/post-cerclage points and preterm birth at <33 weeks of gestation in women with indicated cervical cerclage (CC).

METHODS

Fifty-eight women with CC indicated for a short or soft cervix, but no visible or protruding fetal membranes into the vagina, between 17 and 26 weeks of gestation, were reviewed. Serum CRP levels were examined three times: just before cerclage, and on day 1 and day 2 post-cerclage.

RESULTS

Serum CRP levels on day 1 and day 2, but not just before cerclage, predicted the occurrence of very preterm birth. In women with cervical dilatation of <3.0 cm, serum CRP levels on post-cerclage day 1 were associated with the increase of very preterm birth [CRP ≥1.5 mg/dL vs. <1.5 mg/dL: 4/5 (80%) vs. 8/31 (26%), P=0.033]. In women with cervical dilatation of <3.0 cm, serum CRP ≥3.0 mg/dL on post-cerclage day 2 was also associated with the increase of very preterm birth.

CONCLUSION

In women with indicated CC between 17 and 26 weeks of gestation, increased levels of serum CRP on post-cerclage day 1 or 2 might be ominous signs for very preterm birth.