Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as an adjunct marker in maternal sepsis: a retrospective case–control study (2020-2025)
Authors' conclusion
NLR is elevated in maternal sepsis and differentiates between sepsis, SIRS and healthy pregnancy. Its association with procalcitonin and septic shock supports its potential role as an adjunct marker of inflammatory burden.
Study context
- Population
- Pregnant women at a tertiary maternity hospital, January 2020–December 202550 per cohort
- Participants
- 150 women
- Exposure
- Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in confirmed maternal sepsis vs systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) vs healthy pregnant controls
- Confirmed sepsisn = 50
- SIRSn = 50
- Healthy controlsn = 50reference
- Outcome
- NLR from the first full blood count at suspected infection or routine preoperative assessment
Methodological detailssingle-centre, tertiary maternity hospital
- Single-centre
- Tertiary maternity hospital
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
NLR
Confirmed sepsis
15
median · IQR 59
SIRS
13
median · IQR 37
Healthy controls
3
median · IQR 5
P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Association of higher NLR with septic shock (confirmed sepsis)
| OR (95% CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher NLR | 1.35 (1.05–1.73) | P = 0.02 | |
| 0.512Odds ratio (log scale) |
Correlation of NLR with procalcitonin (confirmed sepsis)
- Rs
- 0.50
- P
- P < 0.01
Original publication
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as an adjunct marker in maternal sepsis: a retrospective case–control study (2020-2025). Int J Obstet Anesth. Published 21 March 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →