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Systemic maternal infections have been associated with preterm delivery. The authors examined the association of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, with preterm delivery. This nested case-control study was conducted within Project Viva in Massachusetts between 1999 and 2002. Subjects were 117 women who delivered preterm ( or = 8 mg/liter). The association was stronger among cases who experienced spontaneous delivery (odds ratio = 4.64, 95% confidence interval: 0.94, 22.96) versus indicated delivery (odds ratio = 1.42, 95% confidence interval: 0.44, 4.61). These findings suggest that very high CRP levels in early pregnancy are associated with preterm delivery.
Pitiphat et al. (Wed,) studied this question.