Can maternal inflammatory and nutritional status, evaluated by the hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score and the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in the first trimester, predict late-onset fetal growth restriction?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of immunonutritional markers, specifically the hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score and the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), in predicting late-onset fetal growth restriction (LO-FGR) during the first trimester.

Materials and methods: This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care center between October 2022 and August 2023. The study included a total of 213 singleton pregnancies, with 99 women in the LO-FGR group and 114 in the healthy control group, matched by maternal age and gestational age at delivery. All blood samples were collected between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation (during the first-trimester screening test). We analyzed first-trimester laboratory parameters, specifically focusing on hemoglobin levels, white blood cells (WBCs), lymphocytes, platelets, and albumin levels. Afterwards, we calculated the HALP score and PNI, and then compared the values of both groups.

Results: Both HALP score (3.58 ± 1.31 vs. 4.19 ± 1.8, p = 0.012) and PNI (36.75 ± 2.9 vs. 39.37 ± 3.96, p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the FGR group than in the control group. The HALP score cut-off value of < 3.43 in predicting FGR had a sensitivity of 62.3% and specificity of 54.5% (AUC = 0.600, 95% CI: 0.528-0.672, p = 0.012). The PNI cut-off value of < 37.9 in predicting FGR had a sensitivity of 65.8% and specificity of 62.9% (AUC = 0.707, 95% CI: 0.632-0.778, p < 0.001). While the HALP score was not a significant predictor of composite adverse neonatal outcomes in the FGR group, PNI showed a cut-off value of < 37.7 with a sensitivity of 60.9% and specificity of 59.7% (AUC = 0.657, 95% CI: 0.581-0.733, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The HALP score and PNI are valuable prognostic tools for predicting the risk of FGR in the first trimester. Low PNI values are also associated with composite adverse neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by FGR.