The role of inflammatory markers hs-CRP, sialic acid, and IL-6 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction.

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate serum high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), sialic acid (SA), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and to compare with healthy pregnancies.

Materials and methods: This study was conducted at a tertiary-level maternity hospital with 80 pregnant women. Fasting blood samples were taken from 44 consecutive women with pregnancies complicated by PE (n: 20) and IUGR (n: 24), and 36 were from normal pregnancies. Serum hs-CRP, SA, and IL-6 concentrations were measured in all participants.

Results: Serum mean hs-CRP, SA, and IL-6 levels were higher in the PE and IUGR group when compared with the control group, but this difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). No significant correlation was observed between these inflammatory markers (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The serum levels of hs-CRP, SA, and IL-6 were not elevated in pregnancies complicated with PE and IUGR compared with normal pregnancies. Since pregnancy is already a process with inflammation, fluctuations in some markers related to inflammation may be masked by the gestation itself. A local subclinical inflammation may have a role in the pathogenesis of PE and IUGR rather than systemic inflammation.