Abstract
Aims: There is growing body of evidence that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM) and in development of maternal and fetal complications of diabetic pregnancies. The aim of the present study was to investigate total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) in infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) and to reveal the influence of maternal hyperglycemia on these parameters.
Methods: A prospective controlled study was conducted between March 2010 and November 2010. Umbilical cord blood was taken from IDM and controls for TAC and TOS measurement, and OSI was calculated. IDM were divided into two groups, either of mothers treated with insulin during pregnancy or of those treated with a carbohydrate-restricted diet.
Results: Thirty-six IDM and 14 infants born to non-diabetic mothers were enrolled. Infants of insulin-treated mothers (group 1) and infants of mothers managed with a carbohydrate-restricted diet (group 2) had significantly higher TOS (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively) and OSI (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively) levels compared to controls. However, TAC levels were similar in all three groups. Maternal HbA1cvalues were correlated to TOS (p<0.001, r=0.694) and OSI (p<0.001, r=0.683).
Conclusions: Oxidative stress is increased in IDM, and a significant relation exists between the degree of maternal hyperglycemia in pregnancy and oxidative stress in the newborn at birth.
©2011 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
