Selenium level of umbilical cord blood: is it related to respiratory distress syndrome?

The aim of study was to compare umbilical cord blood selenium levels in respiratory distress syndrome [RDS] and non RDS preterm babies. Umbilical cord blood selenium levels of all preterm newborn born during a 6-month period were enrolled in the study. They were divided into two groups: RDS and non RDS. Selenium level was assessed by using electro-thermal atomic absorption spectrometry and serum concentration of selenium was compared between the two groups. During the study 150 preterm babies were studied. Mean umbilical cord blood selenium levels were 98.5 micro g/L. Among 150 preterm babies 27 [18%] had RDS and 82% no RDS. Mean umbilical cord blood selenium level in RDS and non RDS groups were 96.5 and, 96.6 micro g/L respectively [P=0.64]. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to umbilical cord blood selenium levels. In this study there was no significant relationship between selenium umbilical cord blood level and respiratory distress syndrome in preterm neonates

Comparison of two phototherapy methods [prophylactic vs therapeutic] for management of hyperbilirubinemia in very low birth weight newborns

Preterm and low birth weight [LEW] infants are at greater risk of developing bilirubin-associated brain damage compared with term infants. Certainly, phototherapy, if used appropriately, is capable of controlling the bilirubin levels in LBW infants; but there is not a unique phototherapy treatment strategy in LBW infants. This study was designed to compare the prophylactic phototherapy and late treatment of jaundiced newborns weighing 1000-1500 grams. Sixty newborns with birth weight 1000-1500 g were studied. They were divided into two groups: the [Prophylactic] group, in which phototherapy started within six hours after birth and continued for at least 96 hours, and the [Treatment] group, which received phototherapy when indicated according to birth weight and suspended when bilirubin level fell below 50% of bilirubin level for blood exchange. Mean value of daily transcutaneous bilirubin [TCB], duration of phototherapy, the need for blood exchange, and the highest TCB value in both groups were analyzed. In the prophylactic group, the highest daily mean rate of TCB was 7.71 +/- 1.84 mg/dl, which happened on the third day. In the treatment group, it was 8.74 +/- 1.72 mg/dl on the fourth day after birth. The TCB values in prophylactic group were significantly less than those of the treatment group only on the fourth and fifth days after birth [P<0.001]. Although the median duration of phototherapy in the treatment group was shorter than that of the prophylactic group [137.60 +/- 57.39 vs 168.71 +/- 88.01 hours, respectively], this difference was not statistically significant. Only one neonate needed blood exchange in the treatment group. The prophylactic phototherapy treatment for babies weighing 1000-1500 g significantly decreases bilirubin levels on the fourth and fifth days after birth but the clinical course of hyperbilirubinemia does not alter in LBW infant, as indicated by the non-significant change in the duration of phototherapy

Comparison of maternal and umbilical cord blood selenium levels in term and preterm infants / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Selenium is an essential trace element and has a main role in cellular antioxidant defense system. In very preterm babies, low selenium is associated with an increased risk of complications such as chronic neonatal lung disease and retinopathy of prematurity. This study was designed to determine and compare maternal and umbilical cord blood selenium levels in term and preterm infants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From February 2008 to April 2008, 30 term (gestational age>37 weeks) and 30 preterm infants (gestational age<34 weeks) and their mothers were enrolled. Selenium concentrations in umbilical cord and maternal venous blood were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean selenium concentration in term infants was higher than in preterm infants (124.80+/-13.72 microg/L vs 100.30+/-11.72 microg/L, P=0.0001). The mean selenium concentration in mothers of term and preterm infants was not significantly different (117.03+/-17.15 microg/L vs 110.56+/-17.49 microg/L, P=0.15). Cord selenium concentrations were strongly correlated with gestational age and birth weight (r=0.66, p<0.0001 and r=0.59, p<0.0001, respectively) when the data of all infants were analyzed together. None of the 60 women had a serum selenium level below the laboratory lower limit of normal (70.0 microg/L). Maternal selenium levels were correlated with cord selenium levels in their infants (r=0.40, p<0.001) when data of all newborn infants and mothers were considered together.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Mothers have a relatively good selenium status and serum selenium is not a significant predictor of preterm delivery in Isfahan. The cord selenium concentration in term infants is significantly higher than in preterm infants, but the cord selenium concentrations in both groups are in a suggested normal range.</p>

Comparison of blood lead levels of mothers and cord blood in intrauterine growth retarded neonates and normal term neonates

To compare the blood lead levels of mothers and cord blood in intrauterine growth retarded [IUGR] neonates and normal term neonates. From April to December 2005, we carried out a cross-sectional, prospective study in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Blood lead levels were measured in the umbilical cord and maternal venous blood samples in 32 mother-infant pairs with IUGR full term neonates, and 34 mother-infant pairs with normal full term neonates. Blood-lead levels were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean lead concentration in neonates of IUGR and normal groups was not significantly different [107.47 +/- 16.75 versus 113.08 +/- 19.08 micrometer/L, p=0.2]. The mean lead concentration in mothers of IUGR group was lower than normal groups, but this difference was not significant [124.56 +/- 19.71 versus 135.26 +/- 26.91 micrometer/L, p=0.07]. Maternal lead levels were strongly related with cord blood in both IUGR and normal groups [r=0.8, p<0.0001]. Maternal and cord blood lead levels was not correlated with birth weight of newborns in either group. Overall, 65.6% of IUGR neonates and 76.4% of normal neonates was above the critical level defined for lead poisoning as>100 micrometer/L by the centers for disease control; however, this was not statistically different between the groups. Our results indicate that the mean lead level was not higher in IUGR neonates, and the whole blood lead was not related to the birth weight. In addition, maternal and cord blood lead levels were strongly correlated, and there were remarkable lead burdens on both the mothers and their neonates in this industrial area