The diagnostic use of plasma CRP in intrapartum/postpartum sepsis 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The diagnostic use of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) in intrapartum and postpartum sepsis.
IRAS ID
193720
Contact name
Alice Hartley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 7 days
Research summary
The study aims to investigate the changes in plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in a women who go through labour. The purpose is to determine whether CRP should be used as a diagnostic marker of sepsis in the intrapartum and postpartum periods.\nCRP is known to rise in response to inflammation and infection. When there is a whole body response to an infection, caused by activation of a person’s immune system, then it is termed sepsis. Currently the criteria for diagnosis of obstetric sepsis in Lancashire Teaching Hospitals includes ‘infection, documented or suspected, and a plasma CRP> 7mg/l’. The diagnosis of sepsis leads to the implementation of the sepsis pathway, including the administration of antibiotics to mother and baby. This study hopes to be able to prevent the unnecessary use of antibiotics by increasing understanding as to whether the levels of CRP rise during labour in the absence of evidence of infection.\n\nThe study is being conducted in the Sharoe Green Unit of Royal Preston Hospital. Participants, women who are in active labour, will be consented to have blood samples taken when they present to hospital and again 6-12 hours postpartum. These samples will be analysed in the laboratories on site to determine the CRP level. There are a number of exclusion criteria meaning some women will not be eligible to participate in the study. These include women with an ongoing inflammatory medical condition, those already diagnosed with an infection or currently taking antibiotics. Each participants’ hospital notes will need to reviewed retrospectively to see if any other observations taken raised a suspicion of sepsis. Individuals within the study will only need to participate for two blood tests. There is no follow-up after discharge from hospital, but details of readmissions will be analysed. The total length of the study is 10 weeks.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0277
Date of REC Opinion
27 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion