Assessment of oxidant/antioxidant system in newborns and their breast milks
Gonca Sandal1, Nurdan Uras, Tulin Gokmen
1Neonatology Department, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity Teaching Hospital, Altindag, Ankara, Turkey. gonca.sandal@hotmail.com
Insights
Preterm newborns and term small for gestational age infants exhibit increased total oxidant stress and lower antioxidant capacity. Breast milk from mothers of these infants showed no significant changes in oxidant and antioxidant levels.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Biochemistry
- Oxidative stress research
Background:
- Oxidative stress plays a critical role in neonatal health and development.
- Assessing oxidant and antioxidant status in newborns and their breast milk is crucial for understanding neonatal well-being.
- Previous research highlights the vulnerability of preterm and SGA infants to oxidative challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in newborns, differentiating between term and preterm infants.
- To analyze these oxidative markers in relation to infant growth parameters (AGA and SGA).
- To compare the TOS and TAC levels in breast milk of mothers delivering term versus preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 184 infants was divided into term and preterm groups, further classified as appropriate for gestational age (AGA) or small for gestational age (SGA).
- Cord blood samples from all infants and breast milk samples from mothers were analyzed for TOS, TAC, and oxidative stress index (OSI).
- Statistical comparisons were performed between and within the defined study groups.
Main Results:
- Preterm newborns (Group I) exhibited significantly higher TOS and OSI levels compared to term newborns (Group II).
- Within preterm and term groups, small for gestational age infants (TSGA and PSGA) showed significantly higher TOS and OSI, and lower TAC compared to appropriate for gestational age infants (TAGA and PAGA).
- No significant differences in TOS, TAC, or OSI were observed in the breast milk of mothers across all studied infant groups.
Conclusions:
- Preterm newborns and term SGA infants experience elevated total oxidant stress with diminished antioxidant capacity.
- Maternal breast milk antioxidant and oxidant levels do not significantly differ between mothers of term and preterm infants, regardless of SGA status.
- These findings underscore the increased oxidative burden in vulnerable neonatal populations.
Aim:
In this study, it is aimed to investigate total oxidant and antioxidant status of newborns and their breast milks.
Methods:
Totally, 184 infants who were born in our hospital were included in the study. Study group was divided into two main study groups, including term and preterm groups; main study groups were also divided into two sub-groups, AGA and SGA. TOS and TAC levels were measured in cord blood of all newborns and in mother milks. Groups were statistically compared with each other in terms of TOS, TAC and OSI levels.
Results:
The study included 92 preterm newborns (Group I) and 92 term newborns (Group II). TOS, TAC and OSI levels were found significantly higher in Group I than Group II (p < 0.0001, p = 0.17, p < 0.0001, respectively). When sub-groups of Group I and Group II, namely TAGA, TSGA and PAGA and PSGA, were compared with each other. TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher and TAC levels were significantly lower in TSGA group relative to TAGA group (p < 0.0001; p = 0.001; p < 0.0001, respectively). No statistically significant difference was found between Group I and Group II and between sub-groups of Group I and II with regards the TOC, TAC and OSI levels of mother milk.
Conclusion:
In preterm newborns and term SGA infants, total oxidant stress is increased and antioxidant capacity is low. No significant difference was found between mother milks of preterm and term AGA and SGA infants.
