Diagnostic and clinical value of the HALP (hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet) score in preeclampsia

Ayed A. Dera

Abstract

Preeclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of maternal morbidity, linked to systemic inflammation and nutritional imbalance. The hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score, an immune-nutritional index, was assessed in PE. A retrospective case–control study included non-pregnant healthy women (NonP), healthy pregnant women (HP), and women with PE. HALP was calculated and compared across groups. Correlations, principal component analysis (PCA), regression, and ROC analysis were performed. HALP was significantly lower in PE than HP and NonP (p < 0.001), with the steepest decline in women >36 years. HALP correlated positively with lymphocytes, albumin, and hemoglobin, but negatively with neutrophils and WBCs. PCA highlighted albumin and lymphocytes, while regression identified WBCs as an independent predictor. ROC analysis showed good discrimination for NonP vs PE (AUC = 0.764). HALP is reduced in PE and may serve as a simple, accessible biomarker for risk stratification.

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