C-reactive protein with premature rupture of membranes and premature labor.

C-reactive protein (CRP) was determined serially in 31 patients with premature rupture of the membranes, 41 patients in premature labor, and 18 pregnant patients with a variety of high-risk conditions. Elevated levels of CRP were not predictive of clinical amnionitis, histologic chorioamnionitis, or neonatal sepsis. No discernible relationship was found between serum CRP and peripheral white blood cell count. CRP was not elevated (false negative) in two patients in the premature labor group with culture-proved bacterial amnionitis. Elevated CRP in the absence of infection (false positive) likewise occurred. The results suggest that CRP be used in conjunction with other signs and symptoms suggestive of chorioamnionitis, rather than as a pathognomonic test.