Inflammatory Markers in the Second Trimester Prior to Clinical Onset of Preeclampsia, Intrauterine Growth Restriction, and Spontaneous Preterm Birth

Low-grade inflammation has been associated with pregnancy complications including preeclampsia (PE), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and spontaneous preterm birth (SPB). In an unmatched, nested case–control study, we assessed the possible predictive association of maternal C-reactive protein (CRP), interferon-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in second trimester plasma samples in relation to later development of PE (n = 29), IUGR (n = 53), and SPB (n = 9). Inflammatory marker levels in these groups were compared to normotensive healthy pregnant controls (n = 127). We found no statistically significant difference in CRP, IP-10, or suPAR in second trimester plasma samples from pregnant women with later PE, IUGR, and SPB when compared to normotensive healthy controls. Second trimester plasma samples of CRP, IP-10, and suPAR cannot be used as a prognostic marker for PE, IUGR, and SPB.