Work

Association between maternal serum RANKL and adverse birth outcomes: a prospective cohort study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Adverse birth outcomes remain a global public health issue. RANKL participates in immune regulation and bone metabolism, but its association with adverse birth outcomes has not been fully clarified. OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between maternal mid-pregnancy serum RANKL levels and adverse birth outcomes (PTB, BD, SGA, LGA, LBW, macrosomia). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in South China. Maternal serum samples were collected during the second trimester (13-20 gestational weeks). Serum RANKL levels were measured, and logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to evaluate the associations. RESULTS: Maternal mid-pregnancy serum RANKL levels were significantly positively associated with SGA. ROC analysis suggested that serum RANKL had a certain discriminatory ability for SGA and LBW. CONCLUSION: Mid-pregnancy maternal serum RANKL levels are associated with an increased risk of SGA. Serum RANKL may serve as a potential indicator for risk assessment of adverse birth outcomes. These findings provide new clues for understanding the aetiology of adverse birth outcomes.

Source: Annals of Medicine

DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2026.2688580

Authors: Xiaoqiong Wu, Jiamei Wang, Aiqi Yin, Binbin Huang, Fa Zeng

Institutions: Anhui Medical University, Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies

Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,557