Serum relaxin and beta hCG levels in pregnant women with prior recurrent pregnancy loss and composite adverse pregnancy outcomes
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: To analyse maternal serum relaxin and β-hCG in pregnant women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and compare them with a healthy control group without a history RPL. A prospective cohort study was conducted among pregnant women with prior RPL ( n = 47) and healthy controls ( n = 94). Serum relaxin and β-hCG concentrations were measured between 8 and 20 weeks of gestation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated across the entire study population followed up till birth ( n = 136, combining RPL and control groups) to evaluate the predictive performance of relaxin and beta-hCG for composite adverse pregnancy outcomes. Multivariable binary logistic regression was performed to adjust for potential confounding variables. Mean levels of relaxin and β-hCG were significantly lower in the RPL group (95.28 ± 24.90pg/mL and 425.24 ± 147.57mIU/mL) than in controls (111.61 ± 41.43pg/mL and 542.26 ± 97.97mIU/mL, respectively; p < 0.001). Across all participants, a serum relaxin cutoff < 109.14pg/Ml was a statistically significant predictor of composite adverse pregnancy outcomes (AUC = 0.63; sensitivity = 72.00%; specificity = 55.00%; p = 0.01). Conversely, β-hCG < 540.48mIU/mL was not predictive (AUC = 0.55; sensitivity = 59.00%; specificity = 58.00%; p = 0.30). In multivariable logistic regression, repeat miscarriage (aOR = 31.01, p < 0.01) and caesarean birth (aOR = 3.92, p = 0.01) remained significantly associated with prior RPL after adjusting for maternal age, BMI, gestational age at sampling, and socioeconomic status. Although maternal serum relaxin levels are significantly lower in women with prior RPL, their predictive performance across the general cohort is modest (AUC = 0.63). Relaxin represents a potential candidate biomarker that warrants validation in larger, longitudinal cohorts.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: George Uchenna Eleje, Emmanuel Onyebuchi Ugwu, Christian Ejike Onah, Emeka Philip Igbodike, Divinefavour Echezona Malachy, Ekeuda Uchenna Nwankwo, Joseph Odirichukwu Ugboaja, Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu, Arinze Anthony Onwuegbuna, Michel Chiedu Egbuniwe, Emeka Stephen Edokwe, Uchechukwu Michael Egwim, Osita Samuel Umeononihu, Kingsley Emeka Ekwuazi, Onyecherelam Monday Ogelle, Chigozie Geoffrey Okafor, Sylvester Onuegbunam Nweze, Malachy Nwaeze Ezenwaeze, Boniface Uwaezuoke Odugu, Kelvin Emeka Ortuanya, Nnanyereugo Livinus Onah, Nnanyelugo Chima Ezeora, Chukwuemeka Jude Ofojebe, Chijioke Ogomegbunam Ezeigwe, Chukwunonso Isaiah Enechukwu, Stanley Chigaemezu Egbogu, Obinna Kenneth Nnabuchi, Boniface Chukwuneme Okpala, Ifeanyi Johnson Onyekpa, Kingsley Chidiebere Nwaogu, Isaiah Chukwuebuka Umeoranefo, Eziamaka Pauline Ezenkwele, Gerald Tochukwu Igwemadu, Chidinma Ifechi Onwuka, Kingsley Chukwu Obioha, Chukwuemeka Chukwubuikem Okoro, Malarchy Ekwunife Nwankwo, Chukwunwendu Franklin Okeke, Nnaedozie Paul Obiegbu, Toochukwu Benjamin Ejikeme, Chidinma Theresa Ezidiegwu, Chukwuemeka Chidindu Njoku, Uchenna Ifeanyi Nwagha
Institutions: University of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, University of Lagos, Deakin University, University of Sunderland, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Queen's Hospital, University of South Carolina Aiken
Language: English
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
OpenAlex ID: W7223258369