title: An Evaluation of Oxidative Status in Serum and Breast Milk of Mothers Giving Birth Prematurely and at Full-Term.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Burning fat and carbohydrates to provide energy in biological systems causes the formation of free oxygen species.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the oxidative status of serum and breast milk of mothers giving birth prematurely and at full-term.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised 50 mothers who gave birth at full-term at more than 38 weeks and 43 mothers who gave birth pre-term at below 32 weeks. On the postnatal 5th day, samples of the mother's milk and serum were taken and stored at -80°C until the study day. On the study day, the total oxidant and total antioxidant levels were measured using the Erel method and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While the total oxidant level and total antioxidant level values of the milk of the premature birth mothers were found to be significantly high compared to those of the full-term birth mothers (P = 0.001), no statistically significant difference was found in the oxidative stress index values (P > 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in the total oxidant level and oxidative stress index values of the serum of the premature birth mothers compared to those of the full-term birth mothers, while the total antioxidant level was found to be significantly low (P = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The oxidants and antioxidants in the milk of mothers giving birth prematurely were found to be significantly higher than those of full-term birth mothers. This can be evaluated as the milk of the premature birth mothers providing increased antioxidant defense to protect the infant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Harran University, Urfa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mahmut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abuhandan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatal Care Unit, Medical Faculty, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nihat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Harran University, Urfa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guzel
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Harran University, Urfa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Veysi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Almaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Harran University, Urfa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koca
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatal Care Unit, Medical Faculty, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey.
authors.forename: Oguz
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tuncer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Harran University, Urfa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Alpay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cakmak
keywords: Antioxidants; Breast milk; Mother