Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific condition associated with hypertension and proteinuria, often leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Pentraxin 3 (PTX-3), an inflammatory molecule, has been linked to the pathophysiology of PE, with increased levels in women with established PE.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the utility of PTX-3 as a biomarker in pregnancies with abnormal uterine artery Doppler and its correlation with IUGR.
Patients and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Banha University Hospital on 80 women in their third trimester. Participants were categorized into four groups: control (normotensive), mild PE, severe PE, and severe PE with IUGR. Serum PTX-3 levels, uterine artery Doppler indices, blood pressure, and proteinuria were assessed.
Results: Serum PTX-3 levels significantly increased across the groups, with levels of 2.83±1.38 ng/ml in controls, 9.34±1.48 ng/ml in mild PE, 25.19±2.87 ng/ml in severe PE, and 31.78±1.66 ng/ml in severe PE with IUGR (p < 0.0001). Doppler indices, including systolic (p < 0.0001) and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.0001), also showed significant differences. PTX-3 correlated positively with systolic blood pressure (r=0.84, p < 0.0001), diastolic blood pressure (r=0.71, p < 0.0001), proteinuria (r=0.68, p < 0.0001), and Doppler indices (r=0.86, p < 0.0001).
Conclusion: PTX-3 levels are significantly elevated in women with PE and IUGR, correlating strongly with clinical parameters such as blood pressure, proteinuria, and Doppler indices. PTX-3 may serve as a valuable biomarker for assessing the severity of PE and predicting IUGR.