Abstract

Oladapo-Akinfolarin*, Tomaziga Tomiloba; Bartimeaus, Ebirien-Agana Samuel; Nwachuku, Edna Ogechi; Nduka Nsirim

ABSTRACT

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a blood test marker for inflammation in the body whose levels rise in response to inflammation. The elevation has been linked to atherosclerosis. Because of the inflammatory component of atherosclerosis, elevated CRP levels have been linked with cardiovascular disease. Objective: To evaluate some cardiovascular disease risk status such as C-reactive protein in pregnant Normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women and compare it with the corresponding levels in non-pregnant normotensive women. Method: This study was conducted in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. Nigeria. A total of 300 women were registered for the study after taking informed conscent. 100 of them were pregnant hypertensives, 100 were pregnant normotensives and 100 non pregnant normotensives as control. All relevant information was recorded on a predesigned questionnaire. HsCRP levels were measured in the 200 normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and BMI: and compared with that of the control. BMI was calculated as weight in kg divided by the square of height in metres. Result: Mean values of HsCRP between the two case groups and control were significant at p