Cord Blood Of Newborn Infants Research Articles

Comparison of Malondialdehyde Level in the Cord Blood of Newborn Infants of vaginal and cesarean deliveries

The oxidative stress injury that has been linked to poor perinatal outcome and birth asphyxia may be found even with normal pregnancy, and it is severity in a newborn may be related to modes of delivery for which our study aimed to identify. Furthermore, this study was aimed to study the effect of both related- maternal, and related neonatal characteristics on baby’s oxidative stress marker level (Malondialdehyde). Fifty newborn children were selected in both labor ward and operating theatre of Al-Sadder Teaching Hospital, Misan, Iraq. They were divided into two groups. The first group comprised 28 newborns, who were born by a vaginal delivery; the second group consisted of 22 newborns who delivered by elective cesarean section. The laboratory measurement of levels of an important antioxidant factor [malondialdehyde (MDA)] in baby’s cord blood has been extracted and used as an indicator of stress. We compared the two samples of different malondialdehyde levels in relation to variables as the delivery type, some maternal, fetal and neonatal characteristics. The results of this study revealed that MDA level was higher among neonates delivered through Elective Cesareans Section than those delivered through Vaginal Delivery with significant statistical value (p>0.0001). The previous delivery mood has a statistically significant value of (p>0.02) among mothers who had no previous deliveries. While there were no significant statistical values regarding maternal characteristics as (ages, parity, residency, antenatal care, history of previous abortion, and body mass index) as well as fetal and neonatal characteristics as (sex, birth weight, fetal presentation, and Apgar score) and high MDA level. The current study was concluded that babies delivered by Elective Cesarean Section had been exposed to more oxidative stress compared to the normal Vaginal Deliveries especially for the Primigravidas.

Three-dimensional refractive index tomograms and deformability of individual human red blood cells from cord blood of newborn infants and maternal blood.

Red blood cells (RBCs) from the cord blood of newborn infants have distinctive functions in fetal and infant development. To systematically investigate the biophysical characteristics of individual cord RBCs in newborn infants, a comparative study was performed on RBCs from the cord blood of newborn infants and from adult mothers or nonpregnant women using optical holographic microtomography. Optical measurements of the distributions of the three-dimensional refractive indices and the dynamic membrane fluctuations of individual RBCs were used to investigate the morphological, biochemical, and mechanical properties of cord, maternal, and adult RBCs at the individual cell level. The volume and surface area of the cord RBCs were significantly larger than those of the RBCs from nonpregnant women, and the cord RBCs had more flattened shapes than that of the RBCs in adults. In addition, the hemoglobin (Hb) content in the cord RBCs from newborns was significantly higher. The Hb concentration in the cord RBCs was higher than that in the nonpregnant women or maternal RBCs, but they were within the physiological range of adults. Interestingly, the amplitudes of the dynamic membrane fluctuations in cord RBCs were comparable to those in nonpregnant women and maternal RBCs, suggesting that the deformability of cord RBCs is similar to that of healthy RBCs in adults.

Herpes simplex virus: Prevalence in placental tissue and incidence in neonatal cord blood samples

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases worldwide, with HSV-2 being primarily associated with genital infections. HSV-2 is believed to account for the majority of cases of neonatal herpes, which may cause diverse of complications in infected newborns. The present study sought to estimate the prevalence of HSV-2 in placental tissue samples and the incidence of HSV-2 in the umbilical cord blood of newborn infants. Placental tissue samples from 201 women (maternal-side and fetal-side = 402 specimens) and 184 neonatal cord blood samples, all collected at the obstetric ward of a University hospital were studied. HSV-2 was detected by means of nested PCR. The prevalence of HSV-2 in placental samples was 9.0% (n = 18), and the incidence of neonatal HSV-2 infection was 1.1% (n = 2). All HSV-2-positive patients were asymptomatic at the time of delivery and none reported genital herpes. Women with a time between rupture of membranes and delivery of ≥360 min had an approximately fourfold risk of HSV-2 infection in the placental tissue (95% CI 0.93-5.66, P = 0.01). These results suggest that HSV-2 is present in the placenta of asymptomatic women and that a risk of transmission to the neonate exists. New strategies must be implemented for the management of asymptomatic patients who are capable of transmitting the virus to the newborn.

Cord blood plasma reference intervals for potential sepsis markers: Pro-adrenomedullin, pro-endothelin, and pro-atrial natriuretic peptide

Objectives To establish reference values in cord blood of the following new sepsis markers: pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM), pro-endothelin (CT-proET-1), and pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP). Methods MR-proADM, CT-proET-1, MR-proANP, and procalcitonin (PCT) were measured in cord blood of newborn infants by Time Resolved Amplified Cryptate Emission (TRACE) technology. The inclusion criteria in the control group ( n = 194) was the absence of any clinical sign or risk factor of sepsis. A group of 73 newborn infants presenting with risk factors of sepsis at delivery was also studied. Results The median values (reference interval) of CT-proET-1, MR-pro-ADM, and MR-proANP measured in cord blood plasma were 72 pmol/L (39–115), 0.84 nmol/L (0.5–1.38), and 163 pmol/L (76–389), respectively. The PCT reference interval was not significantly different from that previously described in cord blood serum. Conclusions The reference intervals established will serve as a starting point for further clinical investigations aimed to elucidate the potential prognostic/diagnostic value of these markers in neonatal sepsis management.

Gender differences in serum leptin concentrations from umbilical cord blood of newborn infants born to nondiabetic, gestational diabetic and type-2 diabetic mothers

To investigate gender differences, if any, in leptin concentrations from umbilical cord blood of new born infants of mothers with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and Non diabetic (ND) at delivery. Serum leptin concentrations were measured in 105 newborns (53 males and 52 females in the three groups). Blood was taken from the umbilical cord of the babies at delivery. Maternal anthropometric measurements were recorded within 48 hours after delivery. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to explore the relationship between serum leptin concentrations and anthropometric measures of the fetus and their mother. Both Serum leptin level and serum C-peptide was measured by chemiluminescence based ELISA. The median range of leptin concentration in cord blood was ND group: Male [13.91 (3.22 – 47.63)], Female [16.88 (2 – 43.65)]; GDM group: Male [32 (7 – 76.00)], Female [36.73 (4.80 – 81.20)]; DM group: Male [20.90 (2 –76.00)], Female [32 {2.58 – 80.67)]. Cord serum leptin levels correlated with birth weight(r=0.587, p=0.0001), ponderal index (PI) (r=.319, p=0.024)of the babies and body mass index (BMI) (r=−0.299, p=0.035) of their mothers but did not correlate with gestational age, cord serum C-peptide concentration or placental weight at delivery. Leptin concentrations were higher in the female fetus in comparison to the male fetus. Birth weight of the female fetuses were also higher than that of male fetus. We found that there are very strong associations between cord leptin concentrations at delivery and birth weight, ponderal index of the baby, body mass index of the mothers with Type 2 DM. We also found that high leptin levels could represent an important feedback modulator of substrate supply and subsequently for adipose tissue status during late gestation or adipose tissue is the major determinant of circulating leptin levels.

Maternal cell microchimerism in newborn tissues

Objectives On the basis of reports of maternal cells being detected in the umbilical cord blood of newborn infants, we tested the hypothesis that maternal cells can migrate out of the circulation into newborn tissues. Study design We studied autopsy material from 4 newborn infants who never received a blood transfusion and died during the first week of life. The study subjects' diagnoses were trisomy 21 with nonimmune hydrops, 46,XY, 4q+ with multiple congenital anomalies, Potter syndrome, and congenital ichthyosis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis with X and Y chromosome–specific probes was performed on sections of paraffin-embedded tissue, including liver, spleen, thymus, thyroid, and skin. Results Female cells, as defined by the presence of intact nuclei with two X chromosome signals, were detected in multiple tissue types from all 4 male neonates. The number of female cells varied from 3 to 45 per slide. Conclusions Maternal cells enter the fetal circulation and are capable of migration to fetal and neonatal organs. This is of importance with regard to potential consequences of umbilical cord blood transplantation and postnatal development of autoimmune disease. (J Pediatr 2003;142:31-5)

Transfatty acids (TFAs) in cord blood of newborn infants and their concentration in mother's adipose tissue reflecting TFA consumption in France.† 1357

Recent studies suggests that dietary TFAs at relative high levels increase the risk of coronary heart disease. Another adverse effect of dietary TFAs is the suppression of the metabolism of linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and consequently the increased requirement for essential fatty acid (EFA). Exposure to TFAs during the fetal life may impair the growth of newborns babies. The aim of this study was to verify if circulating levels of TFA in foetuses are the reflection of TFA consumption in France. We measured by Capillary Gaz Chromatogaphy (CPsil 88-50mx0,25) all TFA isomers in plasma cord blood (PCB, n=15) or adipose tissue (AT) of pregnant women (PW, n=16) vs non-pregnant women (NPW, n=14).TFA deposition in adipose tissue was not affected by pregnancy, suggesting that consumption remains unchanged during gravide state. Because TFAs cannot be synthesized by human tissues, our results confirm the placental transfer of TFAs to foetuses. This is supported by the lower PCB-TFAs (0.75% vs 1.66%) founded our study compared with others reporting higher TFA consumption. TFA consumption remains a potential risk for the foetus since, even at a low consumption level, we demonstrated TFA placental transfer, particularly for oleic and linoleic acids' transisomers.Table

SEVERE B CELL DEPLETION IN NEWBORNS FROM RENAL TRANSPLANT MOTHERS TAKING IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE AGENTS

There have been several reports of successful pregnancies of kidney transplant mothers receiving immunosuppressive agents such as CsA and/or AZA. However, few papers have investigated immune function of neonates from those mothers. We investigated the lymphocyte subpopulations and T cell subsets in cord blood of newborn infants from those mothers. The subjects were 6 infants born to mothers following renal transplantation, who all were receiving CsA, AZA, and methylprednisolone. Cord blood and peripheral blood at 1 month and 3 months of age were obtained from the subjects. Control samples were obtained from 5 normal newborns. The polyclonal antibody used to investigate B cells was anti-F(ab')2 fragment of human immunoglobulin. Direct immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry were used for the investigation. The number of B cells and the percentage of B cell in total mononuclear cells were significantly lower in the subjects than in normal controls. There was no significant difference between numbers of CD2+, CD4+, or CD8+ cells in the subjects and the controls. This severe B cell depletion remained low at 1 month and 3 months of life in many cases. From our result, it is very possible that the B cell line is more sensitive to immunosuppressants in utero than the T cell line. Infants of mothers taking immunosuppressive agents during their pregnancy should be followed carefully for possible insufficiency of immune function.

Enhancement in vitro of the low interferon-gamma production of leukocytes from human newborn infants.

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), a lymphokine produced by lymphocytes with the help of monocytes, is essential for host resistance to intracellular pathogens. Leukocytes from normal term newborn infants cannot produce IFN-gamma in vitro in response to stimulation by antigen or mitogens in vitro or in vivo. We investigated the production of IFN-gamma in vitro using endotoxin from Salmonella typhimurium as a stimulus. In contrast to those from adults, mononuclear cells derived from the cord blood of newborn infants did not produce IFN-gamma in response to this endotoxin. We investigated the contribution of the functional immaturity of cord blood monocytes to this relative inability to produce IFN-gamma. Aging of the monocytes for 2 weeks in vitro or treatment of freshly isolated cord blood monocytes with conditioned medium (from cultures of mononuclear cells from healthy adults) greatly enhanced IFN-gamma production stimulated by endotoxin. Furthermore, recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), or IFN-gamma was able to substitute in part for the conditioned medium from adult cells. Thus correction of the functional immaturity of monocytes derived from newborn infants can result in enhanced production of IFN-gamma in vitro.

Imu Vert activation of natural killer cytotoxicity and interferon gamma production via CD16 triggering

The effect and mechanism of action of Imu Vert, a new biological response modifier consisting of ribosomes and natural membrane vesicles of Serratia marcescens, on endogenous natural killer (NK) cells and activated NK activity has been analyzed. The studies showed that endogenous NK activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from normal cell donors was signicantly increased ( P<0.03) against K562, U937, and Molt-4 target cells. PBMC from cord blood of newborn infants lacking NK activity were upregulated (1.5–4 fold over endogenous NK activity) by Imu Vert. Other studies showed that the abnormal NK activity of PBMC from patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was significantly augmented in vitro ( P<0.01) by Imu Vert. Imu Vert strongly stimulated interferon gamma production and in combination with interleukin 2 produced synergistically enhanced interferon gamma production and greater cytotoxicity than that induced by either alone. Studies on lymphocyte differentiation antigen expression following treatment with Imu Vert indicated that Imu Vert triggers interferon gamma production through binding the low affinity IgG Fc receptor, type III, CD16. The studies suggest that Imu Vert may trigger interferon gamma production by binding to the Fc receptor and that the amplitude of the ensuiing reaction and the ability of Imu Vert to induce cytotoxicity in a setting where this activity has been down regulated is based on the absence of suppressor activation or direct contra suppressor activity.

Effect of postnatal steroid administration on serum vitamin A concentrations in newborn infants with respiratory compromise

Antenatal administration of glucocorticoids accelerates the fetal maturation of the lung, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. ~-3 w e previously demonstrated a significant elevation of.serum retinol, retinol-binding protein, and transthyretin concentrations in the cord blood of newborn infants whose mothers received betamethasone antenatally. 4 It was unclear from that study, however, whether this represented an effect primarily on the mother, the placenta, or the fetus. Mammel et al. 5 and others 6 demonstrated that postnatal steroid administration decreases alveolar-arterial oxygen gradients and improves lung mechanics in bronchopulmonary dysplasia, The mechanism of action remains unknown. Vitamin A has also been implicated in the prevention and treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia by promoting normal lung development and healing. 78 On the basis of these studies, we investigated the effect of postnatal dexamethasone administration on the vitamin A status of 13 infants who were treated with steroids because of significant respiratory compromise.

Apolipoprotein A-1 in umbilical cord blood of newborn infants: relation to gestational age and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Apolipoprotein A-1 (Apo A-1) is the major protein constituent of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and Apo A-1 plays an important role in lipid metabolism and may be protective against atherosclerosis in adults. However, little is known about HDL and Apo A-1 in the developing human fetus. Herein we investigated the relationship of Apo A-1 levels in umbilical cord blood at delivery to gestational age and HDL cholesterol. Fetal plasma levels of Apo A-1, which were not correlated with those in maternal plasma, were significantly lower among newborns delivered at 21-26 wk gestation (52 +/- 4.4 mg/dl, mean +/- SE) than in those delivered at 33-34 wk gestation (87 +/- 5.8 mg/dl). Thereafter, the mean umbilical cord plasma levels of Apo A-1 remained relatively constant (101 mg/dl at 39-40 wk of gestation). We found no significant correlations between Apo A-1 levels and fetal sex, race, or delivery method. At equivalent gestational ages and birth weights, however, Apo A-1 levels in white newborns tended to be lower than those in black infants. The Apo A-1/HDL cholesterol ratio in umbilical cord blood rose progressively from 2.5 (27-28 wk gestation) to 3.8 at term, due largely to increased Apo A-1 levels but little change in the mean HDL cholesterol levels, which ranged from 22-24 mg/dl at each gestational period. These results are suggestive that fetal plasma Apo A-1 is derived solely from fetal sources and that the rate of production and/or clearance of Apo A-1 is altered during the latter third of human intrauterine development.

Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in maternal and cord blood erythrocytes.

The "antioxidant" enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were assayed in a biological model with low oxygen tension (red cells from cord blood of newborn infants). Catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in red cells of newborns were significantly lower when compared with their mothers and with normal controls. In contrast, superoxide dismutase activity was unchanged. Thus, normal activities of superoxide dismutase seem to be necessary in order to protect red blood cells from superoxide radicals during foetal life, while even low activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase are sufficient to protect red blood cells from hydrogen peroxide. No correlation was found between the "antioxidant" enzyme activities present in cord blood erythrocytes and the bilirubin concentrations during the first days of life.

SCREENING A NEWBORN POPULATION FOR HEMOGLOBIN SS BY QUANTITATIVE IMMUNODIFFUSION

This study was undertaken to evaluate a simple and efficient radial immunodiffusion test system for quantifying hemoglobins S and F in cord blood of newborn infants. In earlier studies specific goat anti-S and specific rabbit anti-F sera were shown to be adequate for quantifying hemoglobins S and F in mixed proportions simulating those anticipated in newborn infants with hemoglobin AS or SS. To date 107 cord blood specimens from black infants have been tested for relative quantities of hemoglobins S and F. The mean relative quantity of F was 86.3% ± 10.6 S.D. In 15 of these specimens S was detected with a mean relative quantity of 6.31 ± 2.5 S.D. This technique presently can serve as a convenient screening device with identification of SS among positives by the more cumbersome agar gel electrophoresis technique. Continuing work will compare the percent concordance between diagnoses of AS and SS by these two methods.

Determination of pH values in the umbilical cord blood of newborn infants delivered by women with toxemia of late pregnancy.

Determination of pH values in the umbilical cord blood of newborn infants delivered by women with toxemia of late pregnancy.

The in Vitro Detection of “Cell-Fixed” Hemagglutinating Antibodies to Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) in Humans

Summary Extracts of the washed peripheral blood leukocytes of all adult human subjects studied were found to contain hemagglutinating antibodies to tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD). Subjects with positive tuberculin skin tests had significantly higher titers of these “cell-fixed” hemagglutinating antibodies to tuberculin PPD than did tuberculin skin test negative subjects. The finding of low titers of “cell-fixed” antibodies in tuberculin skin test negative subjects may reflect minor degrees of tuberculin hypersensitivity not detected by skin testing, or may be due to cross-reactivity with Mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The “cell-fixed” antibodies are probably adsorbed from the serum of the leukocyte donor. No hemagglutinating antibodies to tuberculin PPD were found in sera or leukocytes obtained from the umbilical cord blood of newborn infants. The relationship between “cell-fixed” hemagglutinating antibodies to tuberculin PPD and “transfer factor” was not established in this investigation.

Studies on fetal liver functions in homo- and heterospecific pregnancies with special reference to the icterus praecox of the newborn

Summary The liver functions of 120 newborn infants were determined by examination of the blood chemistry of their cord blood. The influence of the heterospecific pregnancies on the liver functions of the infants was examined by comparing the blood chemistry of the cord blood in homo- and heterospecific pregnancies. The mean values of the total protein concentrations were found to be lower in the cord bloods of the hetero- than in those of the homospecific group. It was especially low in cases of icterus praecox due to isoimmunization of the mother. A high total bilirubin concentration and a high percentage of direct bilirubin reactions (80 per cent) were found in the cord blood of newborn infants with icterus praecox, but no difference between the degree of the “physiological” hyperbilirubinemia of the cord blood of homo- and heterospecific pregnancies could be found. The cephalin flocculation test gave more frequently positive results in hetero- than in homospecific pregnancies. The thymol turbidity test showed higher values in the blood of newborn infants with icterus praecox. It is suggested that the ABO blood group incompatibility between mothers and children may be considered as being responsible for the impairment of the liver functions of the newborn in heterospecific pregnancies and especially in cases of isoimmunization of the mother. Editorial Note: Recent evidence has demonstrated that the excretion of water-insoluble indirect bilirubin involves its conversion to a direct-reacting water-soluble pigment by conjugation with glucuronic acid. The formation of bilirubin glucuronide in the liver depends upon the transfer by an enzyme glucuronyl transferase. According to this concept, the newborn with physiologic jaundice is handicapped by a delay in the formation of bilirubin glucuronyl transferase at birth. The effect of this delay is most pronounced in erythroblastosis where red-cell breakdown is excessive, as a result of which the newborn infant is exposed to high plasma concentrations of indirect bilirubin.