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Updated: Jul 24, 2026
Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
Published on: August 24, 2011
Oxidative stress biomarkers of neonates in Saudi population: An observational study
Sobhy M Yakout1, Malak A AlSubhi, Syed D Hussain
1Chair for Biomarkers of Chronic Diseases, Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Oxidative stress impacts preterm infants due to immature antioxidant systems. This study found higher glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels in preterm Saudi neonates compared to full-term infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal health
- Biochemistry
- Oxidative stress
Background:
- Oxidative stress, an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, critically affects neonatal health, especially in preterm infants with underdeveloped antioxidant defenses.
- Immature antioxidant systems in preterm neonates make them particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate oxidative stress in Saudi neonates by measuring key enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants.
- To compare antioxidant levels between sexes (male vs. female) and term statuses (full-term vs. preterm).
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 110 Saudi neonates (55 full-term, 55 preterm) were analyzed for antioxidant biomarkers.
- Key antioxidants measured included superoxide dismutase (SOD1), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx-1), glutathione (GSH), bilirubin, and uric acid.
- Statistical comparisons were made based on sex and term status.
Main Results:
- Glutathione (GSH) levels were significantly higher in preterm neonates (16.4 µmol/L) versus full-term (11.0 µmol/L).
- Superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) levels were elevated in preterm neonates (291.5 ng/mL) compared to full-term (225.4 ng/mL).
- Glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx-1) levels were also higher in preterm neonates (14.6 ng/mL) versus full-term (7.9 ng/mL).
- Uric acid levels were higher in full-term neonates (246.2 µmol/L) compared to preterm (206.2 µmol/L).
- No significant differences in antioxidant parameters were observed between male and female neonates.
- Specific differences in GSH, SOD1, and uric acid were noted when considering both sex and term status.
Conclusions:
- Preterm Saudi neonates exhibit altered levels of key antioxidants, including higher GSH, SOD1, and GPx-1, and lower uric acid compared to full-term infants.
- These findings suggest a distinct oxidative stress profile in preterm neonates.
- Antioxidant status in neonates is influenced by gestational age, with no significant sex-based differences observed in this cohort.
Abstract:
Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between free radical production and antioxidant defense, significantly impacting neonatal health, particularly in preterm infants with immature antioxidant systems. This study aims to assess oxidative stress in Saudi neonates by measuring key antioxidants, both enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and nonenzymatic (glutathione, bilirubin, uric acid), and comparing them across sex (male vs female) and term status (full term vs preterm). A total of 110 Saudi neonates (55 normal neonates and 55 preterm neonates; 52 females and 58 males) were included in this study. The gestational age of preterm neonates ranged from 28 to 36 weeks, with a mean of 32 weeks. Serum samples were retrieved from the chair for biomarkers of chronic diseases BioBank. Ethical approval was obtained from the College of Medicine, King Saud University. GSH levels were higher in preterm neonates compared to normal neonates (16.4 vs 11.0 µmol/L, P < .001), and uric acid levels were higher in normal neonates compared to preterm neonates (246.2 vs 206.2 µmol/L, P < .015). SOD1 levels were higher in preterm neonates compared to normal neonates (291.5 vs 225.4 ng/mL, P < .040). In terms of both term and sex of neonates, GSH levels were higher in preterm female neonates compared to normal female neonates (16.8 vs 13.8 µmol/L, P < .054), and in preterm male neonates compared to normal male neonates (16.4 vs 9.2 µmol/L, P < .001). SOD1 levels were higher in preterm male neonates compared to normal male neonates (300.1 vs 198.8 ng/mL, P < .038), and uric acid levels were higher in normal male neonates compared to preterm male neonates (243.9 vs 200.1 µmol/L, P < .011). GPx-1 levels were higher in preterm neonates compared to normal neonates (14.6 vs 7.9 ng/mL, P < .006). There are no differences in antioxidant parameters between female and male neonates. However, some antioxidants differ between preterm and normal neonates. The comparison according to both sex and term status also showed differences in some antioxidant parameters.
