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Updated: Mar 8, 2026
Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers
Published on: July 28, 2022
An examination of the factors affecting intestinal wall integrity in newborns at birth
Soyhan Bagci1, Daniel Mensinga1, David Katzer1
1a Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care , Children's Hospital, University of Bonn , Bonn , Germany.
Insights
Oxidative stress during labor and a prolonged second stage may injure the newborn intestine. This is indicated by higher levels of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) in cord blood.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Perinatal medicine
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Intestinal wall integrity is crucial for newborns transitioning from fetal to neonatal life.
- Understanding factors influencing this transition can minimize neonatal intestinal pathologies.
- Vulnerable newborns require specific attention regarding intestinal health at birth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors impacting intestinal wall integrity in late preterm and term newborns at birth.
- To investigate the relationship between labor parameters and neonatal intestinal biomarkers.
- To assess oxidative stress markers and their correlation with intestinal injury indicators.
Main Methods:
- Serum concentrations of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) were measured in 80 newborns' cord blood.
- Blood gas analyses were performed on arterial cord blood samples.
- Newborns were categorized into spontaneous vaginal delivery (labor group) and elective cesarean delivery (non-labor group).
Main Results:
- Significantly higher levels of I-FABP, SOD, and Gpx were observed in the labor group compared to the non-labor group.
- I-FABP concentration showed an inverse correlation with pH and base excess (BE).
- I-FABP concentration positively correlated with SOD, Gpx, duration of the second stage of labor, and active pushing time.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress at birth is a significant factor contributing to intestinal injury in newborns.
- Prolonged second stage of labor is associated with increased risk of intestinal injury.
- Elevated serum I-FABP concentration serves as a reliable indicator of birth-related intestinal injury.
Background:
An understanding of the factors that influence intestinal wall integrity during the transition from fetal to neonatal life is important to elucidate and minimize potential contributions to the development of intestinal pathologies in vulnerable newborns.
Objective:
To assess the factors affecting intestinal wall integrity of late preterm and term newborns at birth.
Methods:
The concentrations of serum intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) as biomarker of intestinal wall injury, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) as parameters of oxidative stress, and blood gas analyses were measured in the arterial cord blood of 80 newborns, delivered by spontaneous vaginal delivery (labor group) or elective cesarean delivery (non-labor group).
Results:
Compared with the non-labor group, I-FABP, SOD, and Gpx levels were significantly higher in the labor group. I-FABP concentration was inversely correlated with pH and BE and positively correlated with SOD and Gpx concentrations, second stage of labor duration, and active pushing time.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrates that oxidative stress at birth and prolonged second stage of labor may lead to the intestinal injury, which is reflected in increased serum concentration of I-FABP.
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