Predictive Value of the Serum CRP/Prealbumin Ratio for Sepsis in Pregnant and Postpartum Women.

PURPOSE: To monitor serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and prealbumin (PA) levels and assess the clinical value of their ratio (CRP/PA) for predicting perioperative sepsis in puerperal women. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 142 pregnant (n = 77) and postpartum (n = 65) women with suspected sepsis who were treated at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province between August 2021 and March 2023. Among them, 110 and 32 patients who were admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine and adult intensive care unit (ICU) were assigned to the mild and severe sepsis groups, respectively. For each patient, the respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood pressure were recorded; blood samples were collected on the day of admission and after 72 h of treatment; serum CRP and PA levels were determined; and their CRP/PA ratio was calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the ability of the various indicators to predict septic shock. RESULTS: The serum CRP/PA ratio, procalcitonin (PCT) level, and serum amyloid A (SAA) protein level were significantly greater in the severe sepsis group than in the mild sepsis group (p < 0.05). In the severe sepsis group, the serum CRP/PA ratio and PCT level were significantly greater after 72 h of treatment than on the day of diagnosis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The CRP/PA ratio has a predictive value, with an increased ratio indicating an increased risk of septic shock.