ABSTRACT
Objective: to find out association of serum C - reactive protein [CRP] with obesity as an inflammatory marker in obese pregnant women as compared to non-obese pregnant women
Methods: this comparative observational study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Peoples Medical College for Girls Nawabshah, during the period of January 2010 to December 2010. A total of eighty pregnant women of age range 20 - 40 years in their 3rd trimester were recruited in the study. Of these forty were obese and forty non-obese women. Non-obese pregnant women were grouped as control group. Serum C-reactive protein was measured by ELISA method. Data analysis including independent t-test and correlation analysis was carried out. P value up to 0.05 was considered significant
Results: serum C - reactive protein concentrations were significantly higher [P<0.001] in obese pregnant women as compared to control group [9.1 +/- 0.12 mg /L vs 4.3 +/- 0.16 mg /L], which indicate ongoing low grade systemic inflammation at more advanced level in obese pregnant women
Conclusion: in pregnant women, higher BMI is associated with higher C-reactive protein concentration. These findings highlight a state of low grade systemic inflammation in obese pregnant women. Measures should be taken to control profound weight increase during pregnancy to avoid complications during or after pregnancy