ORIGINAL PAPER
Pentraxin 3 as a biomarker for early detection of fetal inflammatory response syndrome in preterm infants
1
Gülhane Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
2
Department of Paediatric Intensive Care, Medical Faculty, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
3
Department of Neonatology, Medical Faculty, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
4
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
Submission date: 2025-02-25
Acceptance date: 2025-06-14
Publication date: 2026-06-29
Medical Studies 2026;42(2):192-200
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) is observed in preterm infants, characterised by inflammation of the umbilical cord and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in circulation.
Aim of the research:
To assess pentraxin 3 (PTX3) as a sensitive biomarker for the early detection of FIRS in preterm infants.
Material and methods:
This prospective study was conducted at the Department of Neonatology, from September 2008 to March 2009, with the inclusion of 63 preterm infants (gestational age: 28–36 weeks) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Data were collected on demographics and clinical history, and infections were assessed based on clinical findings and laboratory results. FIRS was defined by IL-6 levels exceeding 11 pg/ml in umbilical vein blood to categorise the infants into FIRS-positive and FIRS-negative groups.
Results:
It was determined that 46.1% of the infants with RDS and 19.2% of those with neonatal pneumonia were FIRS positive, indicating a statistically significant relationship between these conditions and FIRS positivity (p < 0.05). PTX3 levels in cord blood were significantly higher in the FIRS-positive infants compared to the FIRS-negative infants (p = 0.001). IL-6 levels were also elevated in the FIRS-positive group, especially in cord blood (p = 0.001). TNF-α levels did not differ significantly between the groups. PTX3 and sepsis were significant predictors of FIRS positivity, with PTX3 having an OR of 1.131 (95% CI: 1.026–1.246, p < 0.05). PTX3 levels had a cutoff value of > 4.45 (AUC = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.64–0.86, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
PTX3 can serve as a useful biomarker for detecting FIRS, and PTX3 levels appear to be linked to conditions such as RDS and sepsis.
Fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) is observed in preterm infants, characterised by inflammation of the umbilical cord and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in circulation.
Aim of the research:
To assess pentraxin 3 (PTX3) as a sensitive biomarker for the early detection of FIRS in preterm infants.
Material and methods:
This prospective study was conducted at the Department of Neonatology, from September 2008 to March 2009, with the inclusion of 63 preterm infants (gestational age: 28–36 weeks) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Data were collected on demographics and clinical history, and infections were assessed based on clinical findings and laboratory results. FIRS was defined by IL-6 levels exceeding 11 pg/ml in umbilical vein blood to categorise the infants into FIRS-positive and FIRS-negative groups.
Results:
It was determined that 46.1% of the infants with RDS and 19.2% of those with neonatal pneumonia were FIRS positive, indicating a statistically significant relationship between these conditions and FIRS positivity (p < 0.05). PTX3 levels in cord blood were significantly higher in the FIRS-positive infants compared to the FIRS-negative infants (p = 0.001). IL-6 levels were also elevated in the FIRS-positive group, especially in cord blood (p = 0.001). TNF-α levels did not differ significantly between the groups. PTX3 and sepsis were significant predictors of FIRS positivity, with PTX3 having an OR of 1.131 (95% CI: 1.026–1.246, p < 0.05). PTX3 levels had a cutoff value of > 4.45 (AUC = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.64–0.86, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
PTX3 can serve as a useful biomarker for detecting FIRS, and PTX3 levels appear to be linked to conditions such as RDS and sepsis.
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| eISSN: | 2300-6722 |
| ISSN: | 1899-1874 |
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