Histological chorioamnionitis is predicted by early infant c‐reactive protein in preterm infants and correlates with neonatal outcomes

AIM: Histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) is associated with preterm birth and adverse neonatal outcomes. We evaluated the rise in C-reactive protein (CRP) in preterm infants as a predictor of HCA severity and outcomes. METHODS: Consecutive preterm infants, born January 2009 to January 2014 in the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, under 32 weeks' gestation or 5 mg/L, 65.2% when CRP 1-5 mg/L and in 19.4% when CRP 0.2 and the CRP > 1 mg/L the positive predictive value and negative predictive value for HCA were 92.5% and 84.9%, respectively. Histological chorioamnionitis was associated with more resuscitation and respiratory distress syndrome (both P 10 mg/L was associated with a foetal inflammatory response and increased early-onset sepsis. CONCLUSION: Higher early CRP was a surrogate predictor of HCA and correlated with the severity of HCA. Higher CRP and HCA were associated with adverse early outcomes.