Evaluation of systemic immune-inflammation index for predicting late-onset fetal growth restriction

Abstract

Introduction

To determine a cut-off value for systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) (neutrophil × platelet/lymphocyte) in the prediction of fetal growth restriction (FGR).

Materials and methods

This case–control study was conducted retrospectively at the Obstetrics-Gynecology and Perinatology Clinics of Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women’s Health Education and Training Hospital. Singleton pregnant women with late-onset FGR who were followed up in outpatient clinics or hospitalized and whose pregnancy resulted at our hospital were included in the study group (group I). Healthy early and full-term singleton pregnant women with spontaneous labor who were followed up in the same hospital and whose pregnancy resulted at the same hospital were included in the control group (group II). Receiver-operating characteristic curves were used to assess the performance of SII value in predicting FGR.

Results

We recruited 79 cases (pregnant with late-onset fetal growth restriction) and 79 controls (healthy pregnant), matched for age, body mass index, and parity. ΔSII was statistically significantly higher in the pregnant with late-onset FGR compared with healthy pregnant (123 vs − 65; p = 0.039). The values in ROC curves with the best balance of sensitivity/specificity were > 152 10⁹/L (49% sensitivity, 70% specificity) and > 586 10⁹/L (27% sensitivity, 90% specificity) for late-onset FGR.

Discussion

Higher ΔSII levels in maternal blood indicate an inflammatory process causing FGR. The cut-off value for ΔSII (> 586 10⁹/L) at 90% specificity can be used as a screening test. In the presence of ΔSII levels > 586 10⁹/L (27% sensitivity and 90% specificity), the physicians should be more cautious about risk for FGR. Therefore, pregnant women at risk for FGR should be checked more frequently and monitored closely. However, further studies are needed to confirm our findings.