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

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.

To explore the association between maternal mid-pregnancy serum RANKL levels and adverse birth outcomes (PTB, BD, SGA, LGA, LBW, macrosomia).

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.

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.

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.