P. Kaapa et E. Koistinen, MATERNAL AND NEONATAL C-REACTIVE PROTEIN AFTER INTERVENTIONS DURING DELIVERY, Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 72(7), 1993, pp. 543-546
To evaluate the effects of interventions during delivery on the matern
al and neonatal C-reactive protein (CRP) we prospectively measured CRP
by immunoturbidometry in 238 mother-infant pairs (179 normal vaginal
deliveries, 36 cesarean sections and 23 vacuum extractions) at 24 and
72 hours after delivery. We additionally measured CRP in peripheral ma
ternal and neonatal blood immediately after birth in 29 uncomplicated
vaginal deliveries. CRP values in the mothers and their offspring were
low at birth, but rose significantly during the first day after vagin
al delivery. Cesarean section induced a pronounced elevation of matern
al CRP, but had no effect on neonatal values. Delivery by vacuum extra
ction produced a transient elevation of both maternal and neonatal CRP
at 24 hours after birth. Neonatal CRP values were not associated with
presence or size of superficial birth tissue trauma evaluated simulta
neously with blood sampling. Increased CRP release in mothers and thei
r infants after interventions during delivery may be associated with v
arying degrees of tissue trauma and can complicate assessment of the p
resence of infection.