Antioxidant enzyme activities are decreased in preterm infants and in neonates born via caesarean section.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the antioxidant defense potential of human neonates according to gestational age and mode of delivery.


METHODS
Four study groups were established, full-term normal spontaneous vaginal delivery (FT-NSVD, n=24), full-term caesarean section (FT-CS, n=19), preterm normal spontaneous vaginal delivery (PT-NSVD, n=15) preterm caesarean section (PT-CS, n=21). The activity of catalase (CAT), glutathion peroxidase (GPX), Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) were determined from cord blood. Statistical analysis was made by ANOVA.


RESULTS
CAT activity was significantly higher in full-term than in preterm newborns. In both the categories, neonates born via caesarean section had significantly lower CAT activities. GPX activity was significantly higher in the FT-NSVD group than in any other group. Cu/Zn-SOD activity was significantly higher in full-term neonates than in preterms and no difference was found related to the mode of delivery.


CONCLUSIONS
Prematurity and caesarean section may cause a deficiency of antioxidant defense in human newborn.
Georgeson
George D
GD
Mullikin Medical Center, Artesia, CA 90701, USA.
Szony
Barnabás J
BJ
Streitman
Károly
K
Varga
Ilona Sz
IS
Kovács
Attila
A
Kovács
László
L
László
Aranka
A
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D002585:Cesarean Section; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004798:Enzymes / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000378:metabolism; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D004798:Enzymes; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase