Antioxidant Levels in Cord Blood of Term Low Birth Weight Neonates Requiring Delivery Room Resuscitation

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of various antioxidants, namely, vitamin A and E, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the cord blood of term low birth weight (LBW) neonates who required delivery room resuscitation (DRR). Materials and Methods: This case control study included 37 term LBW neonates who needed DRR as cases and 44 term neonates as controls (15 term LBW and 29 term normal birth weight) who did not require resuscitation at birth. Neonates suffering from major congenital malformations, infection, or hemolytic disease were excluded. Standard methods were used to measure the levels of vitamin A, vitamin E, SOD, catalase, and GPx levels in the cord blood. Results: Vitamin A and E levels were significantly low in cases compared to term LBW controls as well as term normal birth weight controls. Levels of SOD, GPx, and catalase were comparable in different study groups. Conclusion: Our study shows that term LBW neonates requiring DRR had significantly low levels of vitamin A and E in their cord blood. This might compromise their ability to tolerate oxidative stress during DRR.