Comparative study of serum nitric oxide levels in newborns of pre-eclamptic and normal mothers

ABSTRACT

Nitric oxide [NO] is a labile radical gas that plays a critical role in many vital biological processes, including the control of vascular tone, ventilation, inflammation and immunity. In pre-eclampsia, NO is usually increased in the maternal circulation which may in turn affect the infant of those women. This study is carried out to asses endothelial derived [endogenous] NO concentration in newborns of preeclamptic compared to those newborns of normal mothers. Serum NO levels were assayed in newborns of pre-eclamptic mothers [n=33] and newborns of normal mothers [n=12]. Serum NO levels were estimated colorimetrically using commercial kit of total NO based on the enzymatic conversion of nitrate to nitrite by nitrate reductase and detection of nitrite as an azo.dye product of the Griess reaction. Serum NO levels were found to be significantly lower among newborns of pre-eclamptic mothers [p<0.05] when compared to newborns of normal mothers. There is a defect in serum nitric oxide levels in infant of preeclamptic mothers which reflects the endothelial dysfunction, as well as, reduced uteroplacental perfusion