Abstract
C-reactive protein is an acute phase protein widely used as an indicator of infectious or inflammatory conditions. Traditionally it has been used as an adjunctive test for inflammation and as a marker of disease activity. Though sensitive, its nonspecific nature imposes limitation on its clinical use. Currently C-reactive protein is used in the management of chorioamnionitis, preterm premature rupture of membranes, pelvic inflammatory disease, and urinary tract infection. Interestingly, several obstetric conditions such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes are now known to have an underlying inflammatory basis and there is an emerging role of C-reactive protein testing in managing these diseases. Additionally C-reactive protein testing has an established place in management of several acute abdominal conditions. The aim of this paper is to review the place of C-reactive protein in modern obstetric and gynecological practice.
| Acronyms | ||
| CRP | = | C-reactive protein |
| IL | = | interleukin |
| ESR | = | erythrocyte sedimentation rate |
| CA | = | chorioamnionitis |
| PPROM | = | preterm premature rupture of membranes |
| PL | = | preterm labor |
| WBC | = | white blood cell count |
| PID | = | pelvic inflammatory disease |
| UTI | = | urinary tract infection |
| BMI | = | body mass index |
| HRT | = | hormonal replacement therapy |
| Acronyms | ||
| CRP | = | C-reactive protein |
| IL | = | interleukin |
| ESR | = | erythrocyte sedimentation rate |
| CA | = | chorioamnionitis |
| PPROM | = | preterm premature rupture of membranes |
| PL | = | preterm labor |
| WBC | = | white blood cell count |
| PID | = | pelvic inflammatory disease |
| UTI | = | urinary tract infection |
| BMI | = | body mass index |
| HRT | = | hormonal replacement therapy |