Research Article

Maternal neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a novel biomarker in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes: a prospective case-control study

Volume: 6 Number: 6 December 27, 2025
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Maternal neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a novel biomarker in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes: a prospective case-control study

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of maternal serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM). Methods: This prospective case-control study included 100 pregnant women: 50 with PPROM between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation and 50 gestation-matched healthy controls. Maternal serum NGAL, white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin levels were measured. Demographic data and perinatal outcomes were recorded. The PPROM group was sub-classified into complicated (n=19) and non-complicated (n=31) groups based on the development of adverse perinatal outcomes. Results: Maternal serum NGAL levels were significantly higher in the PPROM group compared to the control group (456.16±146.4 ng/ml vs. 301.79±89.7 ng/ml, respectively; p<0.001). In the PPROM cohort, NGAL levels showed a significant negative correlation with both gestational age at delivery (r=-0.353, p=0.012) and neonatal birth weight (r=-0.353, p=0.012). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that NGAL was a strong predictor of PPROM. However, there was no significant difference in NGAL levels between the complicated and non-complicated PPROM subgroups (462.8±153.3 ng/ml vs. 431.1±115.1 ng/ml, respectively; p=0.409). Conclusion: Maternal serum NGAL is a promising, non-invasive biomarker for the diagnosis of PPROM and the prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes, including earlier gestational age at delivery and lower birth weight. Its elevation reflects the systemic inflammatory state inherent to PPROM. While it may not differentiate complicated and non-complicated PPROM, its strong correlation with earlier delivery and lower birth weight highlights its potential utility in risk stratification and clinical management of pregnancies affected by PPROM.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 27, 2025

Submission Date

December 1, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 20, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 6 Number: 6

APA
Alpay, V., Ersan, F., Boza, B., & Şener, G. (2025). Maternal neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a novel biomarker in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes: a prospective case-control study. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 6(6), 761-766. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1834250
AMA
1.Alpay V, Ersan F, Boza B, Şener G. Maternal neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a novel biomarker in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes: a prospective case-control study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2025;6(6):761-766. doi:10.47582/jompac.1834250
Chicago
Alpay, Verda, Fırat Ersan, Barış Boza, and Gülsen Şener. 2025. “Maternal Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin As a Novel Biomarker in Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes: A Prospective Case-Control Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 6 (6): 761-66. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1834250.
EndNote
Alpay V, Ersan F, Boza B, Şener G (December 1, 2025) Maternal neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a novel biomarker in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes: a prospective case-control study. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 6 6 761–766.
IEEE
[1]V. Alpay, F. Ersan, B. Boza, and G. Şener, “Maternal neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a novel biomarker in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes: a prospective case-control study”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 6, no. 6, pp. 761–766, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.47582/jompac.1834250.
ISNAD
Alpay, Verda - Ersan, Fırat - Boza, Barış - Şener, Gülsen. “Maternal Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin As a Novel Biomarker in Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes: A Prospective Case-Control Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 6/6 (December 1, 2025): 761-766. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1834250.
JAMA
1.Alpay V, Ersan F, Boza B, Şener G. Maternal neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a novel biomarker in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes: a prospective case-control study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2025;6:761–766.
MLA
Alpay, Verda, et al. “Maternal Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin As a Novel Biomarker in Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes: A Prospective Case-Control Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 6, no. 6, Dec. 2025, pp. 761-6, doi:10.47582/jompac.1834250.
Vancouver
1.Verda Alpay, Fırat Ersan, Barış Boza, Gülsen Şener. Maternal neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a novel biomarker in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes: a prospective case-control study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2025 Dec. 1;6(6):761-6. doi:10.47582/jompac.1834250

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