Factors associated with maternal serum C-reactive protein throughout pregnancy: A longitudinal study in women of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the longitudinal changes of C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations during pregnancy and to assess whether socioeconomic, anthropometric, dietary, behavioral, and biochemical factors are associated with these changes. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of 115 adult pregnant women, followed at gestational weeks 5 to 13, 20 to 26, and 30 to 36. Serum concentrations of CRP (mg/L) were measured by the immunoturbidimetric method with ultrasensitive kits (sensitivity 0.05 mg/dL). The statistics included descriptive analysis (mean þ SD) and longitudinal linear mixed-effects models, reporting the b coefficient and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Serum CRP concentrations progressively increased throughout pregnancy (b ¼ 0.121; 95% CI, 0.071–0.171). Parity (b ¼ 1.579; 95% CI, 0.731–2.427) and prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) (b ¼ 0.316; 95% CI, 0.053–0.587) were positively associated and dietary glycemic load was nega tively associated (b ¼ 0.203; 95% CI, 0.380 to 0.026) with CRP concentrations in the multiple model. Prepregnancy obese women presented a more pronounced increase of CRP concentrations compared with normal weight women (b ¼ 0.210; 95% CI, 0.059–0.360 versus 0.115, respectively; 95% CI, 0.049–0.181). A statistically significant interaction was observed between parity and gestational age (b ¼ 0.045; 95% CI, 0.084 to 0.005), indicating that the variation of CRP throughout pregnancy differed according to parity categories. Conclusion: CRP concentrations increased throughout pregnancy. Parity and prepregnancy BMI were positively associated and dietary glycemic load was negatively associated with concentrations of CRP.