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Published on: February 7, 2018
Evaluation of oxidative stress in children with congenital heart defects
Ayfer Gözü Pirinccioglu1, Omer Alyan, Göksel Kizil
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Dicle, Diyarbakir, Turkey. ayfergozu@dicle.edu.tr
Insights
Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) exhibit elevated oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO). These markers are linked to disease severity, suggesting potential as new diagnostic tools for pediatric cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Biochemistry
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases, including congenital heart disease (CHD), are a major cause of childhood mortality and morbidity.
- Understanding the role of oxidative stress in pediatric CHD is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the oxidative stress status in children diagnosed with CHD.
- To establish the association between oxidative stress markers and CHD in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Measured levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO), total anti-oxidant capacity, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen, and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) in 43 children with CHD and 30 healthy controls.
- Analyzed correlations between oxidative stress markers and clinical parameters.
Main Results:
- Children with CHD showed significantly elevated levels of MDA, PCO, hs-CRP, fibrinogen, IL-6, and TNF-α compared to controls.
- Total anti-oxidant capacity was significantly reduced in children with CHD.
- MDA and PCO levels positively correlated with markers of disease severity, including hs-CRP and pulmonary artery pressure.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress is significantly associated with CHD in children.
- Protein carbonyl (PCO) shows promise as a novel diagnostic biomarker for CHD and for assessing disease severity in pediatric populations.
Background:
A significant cause of death and chronic illness in childhood is caused by cardiovascular diseases, including congenital heart disease (CHD). This study aims to investigate the oxidative stress status and to establish its association with CHD in children.
Methods:
The study involves measurements of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO), total anti-oxidant capacity, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen and cytokine (interleukin [IL-6] and tumor necrosis factor-α) levels in 43 children with CHD and 30 healthy age-matched children.
Results:
MDA, PCO, hs-CRP, fibrinogen, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly elevated while total anti-oxidant capacity was significantly declined in patients compared with the controls. MDA was positively correlated with PCO, hs-CRP, Qp/Qs and systolic pulmonary artery pressure. PCO was positively correlated with hs-CRP, fibrinogen, IL-6 and systolic pulmonary artery pressure.
Conclusion:
Oxidative stress and its association with other markers in children with CHD was established. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that PCO has been used as a biomarker in CHD and it may be employed as a new diagnostic biomarker in CHD and in the assessment of its severity.

