Differential maternal leucocyte profile in women with preterm birth: A retrospective descriptive study

Background: Preterm birth remains a cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Maternal systemic inflammation is a mechanism underlying spontaneous preterm birth. However, data regarding maternal leucocyte profiles in women with preterm birth in Indonesia remain limited, particularly comprehensive differential leucocyte data. Local research is needed to provide hematological evidence and establish a baseline for future studies of inflammation-related biomarkers. This study aimed to describe maternal total and differential leucocyte profiles in women with preterm birth at Panglima Besar Soedirman National Defense Central Hospital (RSPPN), Indonesia Methods: This retrospective descriptive study included 90 women who delivered at 24–36 completed weeks of gestation between January 2024 and August 2025. Women with hematological malignancies, malignancies, chronic kidney or liver disease, autoimmune disorders, diabetes mellitus, or corticosteroid or immunosuppressive therapy were excluded because these conditions may affect leucocyte profiles. Participants were selected using consecutive sampling from electronic medical records. Preterm birth was confirmed according to gestational age at delivery. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 29. Results: Most participants delivered at a median gestational age of 34 weeks. The median total leucocyte count was 11.750/µL, with 40% showing leucocytosis (≥13.000/µL). The differential leucocyte profile was characterized by predominant neutrophils (76.10 ± 8.02%) and relatively low lymphocytes (16.53 ± 6.50%), indicating a pattern consistent with maternal systemic inflammatory activation Conclusion: Women with preterm birth demonstrated leucocytosis, neutrophilia, and relative lymphocytopenia, consistent with systemic inflammatory activation. Routine differential leucocyte assessment may serve as an accessible laboratory parameter to support early identification of inflammatory responses associated with preterm birth