The clinical utility of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in pregnancy related complications: a mini-review

Pregnancy-related complications (PRCs) are potent contributors to mortality and morbidity in pregnant women. Prediction and early recognition of PRCs are crucial to improve its prognosis. The pathogenesis of PRCs is complex and it is well-recognized that inflammation response is involved in several types of PRCs. Therefore, inflammatory markers are usually used as predictors or prognostic factors in PRCs. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which is calculated from complete blood count and dedifferentiation, is a simple and easily obtainable inflammatory index. Accumulated studies have shown that NLR is an indicator of PRCs. In this minireview, we summarized the evidence regarding the clinical utility of NLR in PRCs, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, hyperemesis gravidarum, preterm delivery and ectopic pregnancy.