Oxidative stress as determined by glutathione (GSH) concentrations in venous cord blood in elective cesarean delivery versus uncomplicated vaginal delivery

Abstract

To determine whether neonates are subject to oxidative stress by the labor process and the mode of delivery by measuring glutathione (GSH) concentrations in umbilical cord venous blood. Forty-eight women with singleton term pregnancies were prospectively recruited and classified as follows: 26 women had a spontaneous uncomplicated vaginal delivery (VD), and 22 women had an elective cesarean delivery (CD). GSH concentration in umbilical venous blood samples was determined by a spectroscopic method. Umbilical cord venous blood GSH levels were significantly lower in the elective CD group than in the VD group (2.2 and 2.7 mM, respectively, P = 0.0003). There was a significantly negative correlation between cord blood pO(2) and GSH levels; however, the negative correlation was significantly higher in the elective CD group (P < 0.05). Neonates delivered by CD were exposed to a higher oxidative stress as determined by GSH levels compared to those who had an uncomplicated VD.