The relationship between socioeconomic status parameters and inflammation in pregnant women in Turkey

Abstract

Socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with prenatal physiology including inflammation. However, the contribution of different SES parameters to inflammation during pregnancy, such as timing (early life vs. current) and measurement (objective vs. subjective), has not yet clearly identified. In consideration of timing or sensitive period and pathway models, the present study examines how timing of SES affect inflammation (C-reactive Protein; CRP) during the second trimester of pregnancy. With regard to timing or sensitive period model, early and current SES parameters are expected to be negatively linked to CRP. Early subjective SES (E-SSES) and current subjective SES (C-SSES) are hypothesized to have a negative impact on CRP controlling for average number of bedrooms (E OSES: BN) and current objective SES (C-OSES), respectively. In consideration of pathway model, effect of E-OSES: BN on CRP is expected to be through C-OSES. Participants were 76 women (M = 31.71, SD = 3.78) in their second trimester of pregnancy from BABIP birth cohort in Istanbul, Turkey. Parental education (E OSES: PE) and E-OSES:BN were used as early objective SES (E-OSES) parameters. C-OSES included participant’s education and home income. E-SSES and C-SSES were determined by scores of MacArthur Scales. CRP was measured from blood plasma. The results showed that higher C-OSES predicted elevated CRP levels. Future studies are needed to elucidate how the effect of C-OSES on CRP may pose a risk factor for offspring’s health.