Lipid peroxidation in cord blood: the effect of amniotic fluid volume.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of amniotic fluid volume on umbilical cord arterial lipid peroxide levels in relation to intrapartum events.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Delivery suite of a teaching hospital, the Chinese University of Hong Kong.


METHODS
Women with singleton, term, cephalic presentation, and an initially normal fetal heart rate tracing.


METHODS
All pregnancies had amniotic fluid index assessments before and after amniotomy and cord arterial lipid peroxide determination at delivery. Multiple regression analysis.


METHODS
Cord arterial malondialdehyde and organic hydroperoxide levels.


RESULTS
In 247 cases following amniotomy levels were inversely correlated with intrapartum amniotic fluid index. Amniotic fluid index during labour was an independent determinant of cord arterial lipid peroxide concentration, along with duration of second stage, absence of epidural, presence of tight nuchal cord entanglement and evidence of fetal distress.


CONCLUSIONS
Oligohydramnios during labour is associated with high levels of lipid peroxidation in the fetus, reflecting an increase in hypoxic cellular damage by free radicals.
Wang
C C
CC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories.
Rogers
M S
MS
D000650:Amnion / Q000601:surgery; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000378:metabolism*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000502:physiology*; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D015588:Observer Variation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
D008315:Malondialdehyde; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide