Association between preterm delivery and subsequent C-reactive protein: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether giving birth preterm is associated with raised maternal C-reactive protein (CRP) in later life and whether the association is specific to indicated or spontaneous delivery. STUDY DESIGN: This was a Scotland-wide retrospective cohort study of 1124 women who had a first pregnancy resulting in a singleton, live-born infant delivered between 24-43 weeks' gestation. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the association between preterm delivery and subsequent CRP concentration. RESULTS: The difference in CRP between women who delivered term and preterm was nonsignificant on univariate analysis (beta coefficient 0.04, P = .18) but was statistically significant following adjustment for potential confounders (beta coefficient 0.05, P < .05). On subgroup analysis the association was specific to women who had had indicated preterm delivery (unadjusted beta coefficient 0.09, P < .01; adjusted beta coefficient 0.09, P < .01). CONCLUSION: Women who undergo indicated preterm delivery are at increased risk of raised CRP in later life.