OXIDATIVE STRESS AND NEONATAL JAUNDICE: AN
ETIOLOGICAL STUDY
Barakat
SH,
Barghash NA*
Department
of Pediatrics, Department of Medical Biochemistry * Faculty of Medicine
University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
Obyective: To investigate the role of oxidative
stress in the development of neonatal jaundice
Methods: the enzyme activities
of erythrocyte glucose- 6- phosphate- dehydrogenase (G6PD), plasma
glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx). And glutathione-S- Transferase (GSHT) were
measured by quantitative determination of enzyme activity in 40 jaundicel
full term newborns with different peak bilirubin levels (12.5.24 mg/dl)
(not attributable to any known etiology) and 20 control newborns. The level
of advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP), an index of increased
oxidative stress, was also measured in those newborns.Non of the jaundiced
newborns needed phototherapy or exchange blood transfusion before the
study.
Results: In all the studied newborns erythrocyte G6PD
activity level was found within normal limits. Jaundiced newborns had
significantly lower levels of GSHPx and higher GSHT and AOPP levels than
control newborns (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The elevated AOPP level in jaundiced
newborns who had alteration in GSHPx and GSHT suggested that there was
increased oxidative damage in those newborns which may predispose the red
cells to accelerated destruction and play a role in the development of
neonatal hemolysis and jaundice.