Comparison of Oxidative Stress Markers and Serum Cortisol between Normal Labor and Selective Cesarean Section Born Neonates
BC01-BC03
Correspondence
Dr. Mohammad Taghi Goodarzi,
Professor, Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan-65178, Iran.
E-mail: mt.goodarzi@umsha.ac.ir
Introduction: An imbalance between antioxidant and oxidant-generating systems in newborns can cause oxidative damage. The effect of modes of delivery on oxidative stress in neonates is not fully investigated.
Aim: This study was aimed to examine the effects of modes of delivery on oxidative stress markers and cortisol in newborns.
Materials and Methods: In this study 60 term neonates {30 born via Normal Delivery (ND) and 30 born via elective Caesarean Delivery (CS)} at birth were enrolled. Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activities were determined in umbilical cord blood in all neonates. Moreover serum cortisol, uric acid and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) were measured.
Results: GPx and SOD activities in cesarean born neonates were significantly higher than those of control subjects (p<0.05). TAC and CAT were not significantly different between the two groups. Serum cortisol was lower in caesarean born subjects as compared to normal born neonates. On the other hand uric acid concentration was higher in caesarean born neonates.
Conclusion: The obtained data indicated that babies born via caesarean section might be predisposed to pathological conditions due to altered antioxidant levels.