ArticleIrish journal of medical science2026
The significance of lipocalin-2, an inflammatory and immune marker in preterm labor.
Article in Irish journal of medical science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundInflammation is central to the pathogenesis of preterm labor (PTL), yet evidence on maternal serum lipocalin-2 (LCN-2) in PTL remains limited.
aimTo investigate the significance of LCN-2, an inflammatory and immune marker, in PTL and its relationship with composite adverse perinatal outcomes (CAPOs).
methodsThis prospective study was conducted at a tertiary perinatology clinic from June to December 2025. We enrolled 90 pregnant women at 28-37 weeks (45 with PTL, 45 controls; matched 1:1). Maternal serum LCN-2 was measured by ELISA. The PTL group was stratified into early (< 34 weeks) and late (34 + 0-36 + 6 weeks) subgroups and by CAPOs. Maternal and neonatal data were compared, and LCN-2's diagnostic performance was assessed. Multivariable logistic regression assessed its independent association with PTL and CAPO after confounder adjustment.
resultsLCN-2 was higher in the PTL group than in controls (162.24 ± 53.16 vs. 131.20 ± 29.68 pg/mL; p = 0.001), with no difference between early and late subgroups (p > 0.05). It correlated weakly with neonatal intensive care unit stay (r = 0.287, p = 0.046). On ROC analysis, LCN-2 modestly discriminated PTL (AUC 0.658; 95% CI 0.550-0.754; p = 0.007; sensitivity 68.9%, specificity 60.0%; cutoff > 128.95 pg/mL). After adjustment for maternal age, gestational age at sampling, and pre-pregnancy BMI, LCN-2 remained independently associated with PTL (aOR 1.019; 95% CI 1.007-1.032; p = 0.002) but not with CAPO within the PTL group (p = 0.142).
conclusionsElevated maternal LCN-2 in PTL reflects involvement in inflammatory processes underlying preterm birth; however, its limited diagnostic accuracy and weak association with neonatal outcomes suggest it mainly indicates disease activity.
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