Comparison between Highly Sensitive C - Reactive Protein in Subjects with Preeclampsia with Severe Features and Preeclampsia without Severe Features
Authors: Aktar Mossa Nupur , Sultana Zakia , Smriti Marfoonnahar , Haque Kazi Sanzida , Islam Nadia , Shilpi Umme Salma , Kundu Popy Rani , Sharmin Shah Noor 
Published: April 2024

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) develops in 4-5% of pregnancies in humans. It appears after 20 weeks of gestation and is defined by increased blood pressure and proteinuria. When convulsions occur or the hemolysis, high liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) condition materializes, PE can lead to eclampsia. It is well recognized that eclampsia and HELLP syndrome are linked to serious side effects include liver hemorrhage, lung edema, brain hemorrhage, and renal failure. Objective: The aim of this study is to compare between highly sensitive c- reactive protein in subjects with preeclampsia with severe features and preeclampsia without severe features. Methods: This case-control study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, from January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 68 patients were enrolled and analyzed in this study. The questionnaire was pretested, corrected and finalized. Data were collected by face-to-face interview and analyzed by appropriate computer based programmed software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 24. Results: In this study, maximum study subjects were in 21 – 30 years age group. Mean age of the study subjects was 26.12 ± 4.02 and 24.04 ± 4.32 years in PE with severe features and PE without severe features respectively. Majority of the patients 27(79.4%) and 25 (73.5%) were housewife in both cases. Illiterate 2 (5.9%), higher secondary 9(26.5%) and graduate 10(29.4%) were higher in PE with severe features than PE without severe features. Most of the patients 25 (73.5%) and 21 (61.8%) came from rural area. Nullipara was higher in PE with severe feature and multigravida was higher in PE without severe features. Antenatal care was found more irregular in PE patients with severe features subjects than PE without severe features. Preterm pregnancy was higher in PE with severe feature than PE without severe features. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found significantly higher in PE patients with severe features than without severe features. hsCRP was found significantly higher in PE with severe features than PE without severe features. APGAR score of the neonate was significantly better of PE patients without severe features than with severe features patients both at birth and at 5 minutes. Average birth weight of the neonate was found higher of the PE patients without severe features than with severe features patients. There was 6(17.6%) very LBW of neonates of PE with severe features patients but none in PE without severe features patients. Intrauterine growth retardation, and prematurity were found higher in PE with severe features patients comparing PE without severe features. Conclusion: Women with PE have higher serum hsCRP levels. Clinical and biochemical markers of PE are linked with elevated serum levels of hsCRP in preeclamptic women. Serum hsCRP levels can be measured to determine the severity of PE.