Exploratory Study of the Diagnostic Value of Combined Serum β-hCG, Serum Ferritin, and Gestational Age in Intrauterine Infection Among Pregnant Women With Premature Rupture of Membranes

Background: Intrauterine infection poses significant risks to both mother and fetus, especially in cases of premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for timely intervention. Methods: This was a prospective study involving 120 patients with PROM, including 32 cases diagnosed with intrauterine infection and 88 non-infected controls. Parameters such as serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), serum ferritin (SF), and gestational age (GA) were evaluated for their diagnostic efficacy using logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: A total of 120 patients were analyzed, with 32 (26.67%) diagnosed with intrauterine infection. Infected patients exhibited significantly higher median β-hCG (43,104.00 vs. 22,375.00 mIU/mL; p < 0.0001) and SF (34.14 vs. 27.81 ng/mL; p = 0.0020), and a shorter mean gestational age (38.63 vs. 37.78 weeks; p = 0.0040). Furthermore, the logistic regression analysis established these as independent predictors, with significant ORs for log10-β-hCG (22.41; p = 0.0010), log10-SF (6.45; p = 0.0300), and gestational age (0.61; p = 0.0300). The combined testing approach, particularly the integration of log10-β-hCG, log10-SF, and GA, showed superior diagnostic efficacy, achieving an ROC area under the curve of 0.78, with significantly enhanced sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions: The combined testing of serum β-hCG, SF, and GA offers a robust tool for the early diagnosis of intrauterine infection in women with PROM. These findings support the use of comprehensive biomarker screening in clinical settings to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.