Publication:

Diagnostic performance of platelet-lymphocyte ratio in preterm premature rupture of membranes

Background Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is a significant contributor to preterm birth and is associated with considerable maternal and neonatal morbidity, with diagnosis often challenging due to nonspecific clinical presentation and limited reliable markers. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in PPROM.

Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh (June 2022-May 2023). Sixty pregnant women (30 PPROM, 30 controls) at 28–36⁺⁶ weeks’ gestation were enrolled to evaluate PLR in PPROM. Exclusions included multiple gestations, systemic disorders, malignancy, fetal anomalies, and pregnancy complications (GDM, preeclampsia). Data were analyzed using SPSS v26, with p<0.05 considered significant.

Results A total of 60 participants (30 per group) were included with comparable baseline characteristics (mean age: 27.57±5.14 vs. 28.33±5.02 years; p=0.561). No significant differences were observed in parity or ANC status. Platelet count (269.63±63.40 vs. 207.43±46.50×10³/mm³; p<0.001) and PLR (123.15±27.73 vs. 104.48±26.09; p=0.009) were significantly higher in Group A, while lymphocyte count was not significant. ROC analysis showed AUC 0.697 with cut-off ≥117.7, sensitivity 53.3%, specificity 76.7%, and accuracy 65%.

Conclusions PLR shows moderate diagnostic utility as a supportive biomarker in PPROM.