BACKGROUND: Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an acute phase reactant which has been used to 
detect intra-amniotic infections (IAI) in pregnancy, but the prognostic value of 
PTX3 concentrations on neonates has not been studied. We aimed to investigate 
the relationship between maternal PTX3-neonatal PTX3 concentrations and early 
neonatal outcome.
METHODS: The mothers diagnosed with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes 
(PPROM) (n = 28) and their preterm infants (n = 28) were included in the study. 
PTX3 concentrations were studied in plasma in the maternal peripheral blood and 
umbilical/peripheral vein in the neonates. The relationship between the 
mPTX3-nPTX3 concentrations and neonatal outcome were investigated using 
non-parametric tests and binary logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS: The mean mPTX3 concentration was 10.35 ± 7.82 μg/L. Ten (35.7%) of all 
mothers were within the normal range and 18 (64.3%) in high percentile (≥ 97.5 
percentile). There was no relation between mPTX3 concentrations and clinical or 
histologic chorioamnionitis, latency of PPROM, and early neonatal outcome. Mean 
nPTX3 concentrations was 9.18 ± 7.83 μg/L and high nPTX3 concentrations were 
detected in five (17.8%) neonates. nPTX3 concentrations were inversely 
correlated with gestational age and correlated with rate of intraventricular 
hemorrhage (IVH) and mortality. Neonates with high nPTX3 concentrations also 
have lowered APGAR scores, increased rate of respiratory distress syndrome, 
clinical sepsis, IVH, necrotizing enterocolitis and prolonged NICU stay.
CONCLUSION: High PTX3 concentrations of the newborns are associated with some 
worsened early neonatal outcome including lower gestational age at delivery, 
increased rate of IVH and mortality. Maternal PTX3 concentrations are not an 
adequate marker in defining clinical or histologic chorioamnionitis and early 
neonatal outcome.