Maternal–cord blood vitamin C status and its relation to fetal growth and placental apoptosis

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough the antioxidant property of vitamin C as well as its endothelial function promotion are well documented, its role in fetal growth during pregnancy is still not conclusive in previous studies. ObjectivesThis study aimed to estimate maternal and cord blood vitamin C level and to detect its influence on neonatal growth as well as placental weight and placental apoptosis. MethodsThe study was conducted on 60 healthy singleton pregnant women and their full term neonates at Ain Shams University Hospital in Egypt. Maternal and cord blood vitamin C plasma level estimation as well as quantitative analysis of placental apoptotic index were done in addition to full anthropometric assessment for delivered neonates. ResultsThere was a positive significant correlation between maternal and neonatal vitamin C levels (r=0.838, P<0.001). Positive significant correlations between maternal vitamin C levels and neonatal weight (r=0.448, P<0.001), length (r=0.67, P<0.001), BMI (r=0.52, P=0.003), OFC (r=0.60, P<0.001) and placental weight (r=0.373, P<0.001) while a significant negative correlation with placental apoptotic index (r=−0.817, P<0.001) were detected. Multiple regression analysis showed that placental weight was the most sensitive predictor of neonatal weight (t=4.132, P<0.001) followed by maternal vitamin C (t=3.034, P=0.006). ConclusionMaternal vitamin C level has a significant positive impact on neonatal anthropometry and placental weight while negatively correlating with placental apoptosis. This denotes an important role of vitamin C in fetal and placental growth during pregnancy.