Serum C-reactive protein levels in preterm infants with and without stunting at birth

Background: Stunting remains a major health concern among children in low- and middle-income countries, often beginning in the intrauterine period and detectable at birth. Pregnancy represents a physiological stress state that can elevate maternal serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, which may contribute to adverse outcomes such as preterm birth and stunting. This study aims to explore the association between maternal serum CRP levels and the occurrence of stunting at birth in preterm infants. Methods: Preterm neonates with stunting at birth were selected as the case group, while those without stunting served as the control group, using a 1:2 matching ratio. Serum CRP levels were measured and compared between groups, with statistical significance defined as p < 0.05. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 for Windows. Results: A total of 108 preterm infants were included, comprising 36 stunted (cases) and 72 non-stunted (controls) neonates. The mean serum CRP concentration was higher in the stunted group (2.73 mg/dL) compared to the control group (1.0 mg/dL), with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.042; mean difference [95% CI]: 1.73 mg/dL [0.06–3.40 mg/dL]). The proportion of infants with markedly elevated CRP levels (>10 mg/dL) was also higher in the stunted group (8.3%) versus none in the control group (0%), yielding a significant odds ratio (p = 0.035; OR [95% CI]: 3.18 [2.39–4.22]). Conclusion: Maternal serum CRP levels are significantly elevated in preterm infants presenting with stunting at birth. These findings suggest a potential role of inflammation in early growth impairment, warranting further investigation into anti-inflammatory strategies as a preventive intervention for stunting both at birth and during postnatal development.