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Concentrations of antioxidant vitamins in maternal and cord serum and their effect on birth outcomes

Yong-Zhong Wang1, Wei-Hong Ren, Wen-qiang Liao

  • 1Third People's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.

Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology
|April 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Maternal vitamin A levels during pregnancy significantly impact birth weight and height. While vitamins E and C also play roles, vitamin A showed a direct correlation with improved birth outcomes in newborns.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Neonatal Health

Background:

  • Maternal oxidative stress during pregnancy may negatively affect fetal growth.
  • Antioxidant vitamins (A, E, C) are crucial for healthy pregnancy and fetal development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To measure vitamin A, E, and C levels in maternal and cord serum.
  • To examine the association between maternal vitamin status at delivery and infant birth outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 143 mother-neonate pairs.
  • Data collected via questionnaires and serum analysis (HPLC) for vitamins A, E, and C.
  • Paired maternal and cord blood samples analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Maternal serum vitamin A and E levels were higher than cord serum levels.
  • Cord serum vitamin C levels were higher than maternal serum levels.
  • Maternal vitamin A status correlated with increased birth weight and height.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal vitamin A levels during pregnancy significantly influence birth outcomes.
  • Vitamins E and C did not show a significant direct effect on the studied birth outcomes.
  • Further research is needed on antioxidant vitamins' role in fetal growth across gestation.
Abstract

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