In-vivo Oxidative DNA damage, Protein Oxidation and Lipid Peroxidation as a Biomarker of Oxidative stress in Preterm Low Birth Weight Infants

A comparison between extract Moringa oleifera and iron tablet on prevention low birth weight in pregnant mothers in Makassar, Indonesia

OBJECTIVE

Compare the effect of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaf extract and iron tablets on pregnant women on low birth weight.

METHODS

This study used a Randomized Double-Blind design controlled by using a sample of non-anemic pregnant women. Birth weight was measured using a digital scale electrically after delivery. Analysis of data using two independent samples t-test.

RESULTS

Overall, there were no significant different between intervention and control group in terms of birth weight (3104.57±52 vs. 3022.29±53g), birth length (48.06±2.4 vs. 48.68±2.6cm), and head circumference (33.72±1.50 vs. 33.55±1.47cm). The number of low birth weight infants in the intervention group of 8.6% and 11.4% of control. There is no difference in birth weight between the intervention with the control group (p=0.365).

CONCLUSION

M. oleifera (MO) leaf extract supplement has similar effect to iron folate supplement in terms of low birth weight incidence. It is recommended for the government to use MO supplement, as local source supplement, replacing iron-folic supplement in improving pregnancy outcomes. A further study is necessary to see the effect of MO supplement to other pregnancy outcomes, including maternal and child mortality.

Effects of particulate matter exposure during pregnancy on birth weight: A retrospective cohort study in Suzhou, China

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have identified that exposure to particulate matter during pregnancy could result in adverse birth outcomes, but the effects of exposure at trimester-specific intervals are inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE

Our primary goal was to investigate whether particulate matter exposure during pregnancy could affect birth weight and gestational age of neonates.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to examine the relationship between maternal particulate matter exposure and neonatal birth weight. We collected 14,455 births records linked to hospital admission records (delivery and antenatal) from January 2013 to December 2015 in Suzhou Municipal Hospital. Air monitoring data in the same timeframe were also collected from Suzhou Environmental Protection Agency. The risk of low birth weight due to the exposure to PM_2.5 (with median aerodynamic diameter≤2.5μm) and PM₁₀ (with median aerodynamic diameter≤10μm) at each trimester and throughout the entire pregnancy were assessed. Linear regression models were applied and potential confounding factors were adjusted for data analysis. Gestational age, which was another important birth outcome, and its association with maternal particulate matter exposure were also studied.

RESULTS

The final analysis included 10,915 singleton live births. Using multiple linear regression models, we found that gestational exposure to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ at 10μg/m³ increments in the second trimester led to decreases in birth weight of 4.94g (95% confidence interval: -9.828, -0.046) and 5.65g (95% confidence interval: -10.110, -1.188), respectively. However, gestational age was not significantly associated with maternal particulate matter exposure in term neonates.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that pregnant women might be more susceptible to particulate matter during the second trimester which may lead to decreased neonatal birth weight.

A study of oxidative stress in neonates delivered through meconium-stained amniotic fluid

To estimate the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) in cord blood plasma of newborns born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) and also to find out the correlation between their levels with birth weight and gestation, we measured the cord blood plasma levels of MDA and 8-OH-dG in 59 newborns born through MSAF and 50 newborns born through clear liquor. The levels of cord blood plasma MDA and 8-OH-dG were significantly higher in full-term and late-preterm newborns born through MSAF. On further comparison, it was found that both full-term and late-preterm intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) neonates had higher levels of these markers as compared to babies born as appropriate for gestational age (AGA) through MSAF. Plasma levels of MDA and 8-OH-dG were significantly correlated with birth weight even after controlling the relationship with gestational age for all cases as well as all full-term cases. These markers are also significantly correlated to each other.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggest that the neonates born through MSAF experience higher degrees of oxidative stress, as evidenced by increased levels of cord blood plasma MDA and 8-OH-dG. What is known: • Aspirated meconium has been found to induce free radical generation and cellular damage in animal studies. • Its role in free radical generation and oxidative damage in human neonates is scarce. What is new: • Neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid experience significant oxidative stress.

The effects of prenatal oxidative stress levels on infant adiposity development during the first year of life

Although numerous studies have been conducted to examine the causal factors of childhood obesity, the implications of intrauterine oxidative stress on early postnatal adiposity development remain to be elucidated. The Universiti Sains Malaysia Birth Cohort Study aimed to investigate the effects of prenatal oxidative stress levels on the development of infant adiposity during the first year of life. This study was conducted on the healthy pregnant women aged 19–40 years, from April 2010 to December 2012 in Kelantan, Malaysia. Maternal blood samples were drawn in the second trimester to analyse for oxidative stress markers. Infant anthropometric measurements were taken at birth, 2, 6 and 12 months of age. A total of 153 pregnant women and full-term infants were included in the analysis. Statistical test was conducted by using multiple linear regression. Through the infant first year of life, as maternal DNA damage level in the second trimester increased, infant weights at birth (β=−0.122, P<0.001), 2 months (β=−0.120, P=0013), 6 months (β=−0.209, P=0.003) and 12 months of age (β=−0.241, P=0.006) decreased after adjusting for confounders. Similar results were noted when infant body mass index-for-age Z-scores and triceps skinfold-for-age Z-scores were used as the adiposity indicators. In conclusion, the present study shows a consistent inverse association between maternal DNA damage and infant adiposity during the first year of life. These infants with reduced growth and adiposity in early postnatal life may have a high tendency to experience catch-up growth during childhood, which could be strongly associated with later obesity.