RESUMEN
PURPOSE: We measured the umbilical cord arterial concentrations of isoprostane(8-iso-PGF2alpha) and intended to decide whether the umbilical cord arterial concentrations of isoprostane could be used as a useful parameter for lipid peroxidation in newborn infants. METHODS: The isoprostane and malondialdehyde(MDA) concentrations of the umbilical cord were measured by enzyme immunoassay and TBARS(thiobarbituric acid reactive substance) assay in 33 preterm and 28 term infants, respectively. The concentrations of isoprostane and MDA were compared between preterm infants and term infants, and were analysed for association with perinatal risk factors and neonatal complications. RESULTS: Umbilical cord arterial concentrations of isoprostane were 704.7+/-635.6 pg/mL and 421.9+/-306.5 pg/mL in preterm and term infants, respectively. Umbilical cord arterial concentrations of MDA were 44.0+/-22.9 micrometer/L and 26.2+/-10.7 micrometer/L in preterm and term infants, respectively. Umbilical cord arterial concentrations of isoprostane and MDA in preterm infants were significantly higher than those in term infants(P<0.05). The umbilical cord arterial concentrations of isoprostane were significantly associated with perinatal risk factors such as fetal distress, oligohydramnios, and breech delivery in preterm infants and pregnancy-induced hypertension in term infants(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Umbilical cord arterial concentrations of isoprostane in preterm infants were higher than those in term infants, and those are significantly associated with some perinatal risk factors.