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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
Published on: August 24, 2011
Comparison of AGA and SGA Infants Based on Prooxidant-to-Antioxidant Balance in Mashhad, Iran During 2019-2025: A
Maryam Zakerihamidi1, Fatemeh Bagheri2,3, Nooshin Nesaee4
1Department of Midwifery, To.C. Islamic Azad University Tonekabon Iran.
Insights
Small for Gestational Age (SGA) infants exhibit higher Prooxidant-Antioxidant Balance (PAB) levels compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. This imbalance is linked to increased risks of conditions like retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in SGA infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Pediatric oxidative stress
- Perinatal medicine
Background:
- Small for Gestational Age (SGA) infants face health challenges potentially linked to oxidative stress.
- A prooxidant-antioxidant imbalance may contribute to these challenges.
- Understanding this imbalance is crucial for SGA infant care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare Prooxidant-Antioxidant Balance (PAB) levels between SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants.
- To investigate the association between PAB levels and neonatal outcomes in SGA infants.
- To identify potential markers for complications in SGA neonates.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 898 neonates (100 SGA, 798 AGA).
- Data collected via questionnaire including neonatal information and umbilical cord pH.
- Neonatal PAB levels and outcomes (asphyxia, ROP, NEC, PDA, sepsis) were compared between SGA and AGA groups.
Main Results:
- SGA infants had significantly lower Apgar scores and birth weight compared to AGA infants.
- Neonatal PAB levels were 1.5 times higher in the SGA group (p<0.000).
- Higher incidences of asphyxia, ROP, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), NEC, and PDA were observed in the SGA group.
Conclusions:
- Elevated PAB levels are associated with SGA infants.
- SGA infants demonstrate a higher prevalence of ROP and NEC.
- PAB levels may serve as an indicator for adverse outcomes in SGA neonates.
Background And Aims:
Small for Gestational Age (SGA) infants face numerous challenges that may stem from a prooxidant-antioxidant imbalance. This study aims to compare AGA and SGA infants regarding their PAB (Prooxidant-Antioxidant Balance) levels.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 898 neonates, including 798 (88.9%) appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants and 100 (11.1%) small for gestational age (SGA) infants. The research utilized convenience sampling at Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad, spanning from 2019 to 2025. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researchers, which consisted of three sections: neonatal information (including gestational age, first-minute Apgar score, fifth-minute Apgar score, and birth weight) and laboratory information (including umbilical cord pH and neonatal PAB levels). The SGA infants were classified as the case group, while the AGA infants served as the control group. The study compared PAB levels and neonatal outcomes-including asphyxia, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and sepsis-between the two groups.
Results:
The mean gestational age for the AGA group was 34.29 ± 4.31 weeks, while the mean gestational age for the SGA group was 34.75 ± 2.63 weeks. The 1-min Apgar score showed significant differences, with a p-value of 0.000, and the 5-min Apgar score also differed significantly between the groups (p = 0.001), being higher in the SGA group. Additionally, the birth weight was significantly lower in the SGA group (p = 0.001). The mean neonatal PAB in the SGA group was 1.5 times greater than that of the AGA group (p = 0.000). When comparing the two groups, the incidence of acute asphyxia (p = 0.002), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (p = 0.028), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (p = 0.047), NEC (p = 0.000), and PDA (p = 0.049) showed statistically significant differences.
Conclusion:
The current study's results show that PAB levels are higher in SGA infants compared to AGA infants. Additionally, instances of ROP, and NEC were more prevalent in the SGA group.