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Antioxidant vitamin levels in term and preterm infants and their relation to maternal vitamin status

Giyasettin Baydas1, Fikret Karatas, M Ferit Gursu

  • 1Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey. baydas@hotmail.com

Archives of Medical Research
|May 29, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants have lower levels of antioxidant vitamins E and A compared to full-term infants, suggesting increased susceptibility to oxidative stress. Maternal vitamin levels correlate positively with cord blood levels for vitamins E and A.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal nutrition and oxidative stress
  • Maternal-fetal medicine
  • Antioxidant vitamin research

Background:

  • Lipid peroxidation is implicated in neonatal complications.
  • Preterm infants possess underdeveloped antioxidant systems, increasing vulnerability.
  • Vitamins E, A, and C are crucial components of natural antioxidant defenses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify vitamin E, A, and C levels in maternal and cord blood of term and preterm infants.
  • To explore the interrelationships between maternal and infant vitamin levels.

Main Methods:

  • High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to measure vitamin E, A, and C.
  • Blood samples were collected from mothers and their term (n=30) and preterm (n=22) infants during delivery.

Main Results:

  • Cord blood levels of lipid-soluble vitamins E and A were lower than maternal levels.
  • Water-soluble vitamin C levels were higher in cord blood compared to maternal plasma.
  • Term infants exhibited significantly higher levels of vitamins E, A, and C than preterm infants.

Conclusions:

  • Positive correlations were observed between maternal and cord blood levels of vitamins E and A.
  • Preterm infants demonstrate reduced serum levels of lipid-soluble antioxidant vitamins.
  • Findings suggest preterm infants are more susceptible to oxidative stress due to lower antioxidant vitamin status.
Abstract

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