S. Tabacova et al., EXPOSURE TO OXIDIZED NITROGEN - LIPID-PEROXIDATION AND NEONATAL HEALTH RISK, Archives of environmental health, 53(3), 1998, pp. 214-221
Pregnant women exposed to extensive environmental contamination by oxi
dized nitrogen compounds were studied at parturition, their neonatal h
ealth status was assessed and the involvement of oxidative stress in p
athology was evaluated. Methemoglobin in maternal and cord blood was m
easured as a biomarker of individual exposure. Blood lipid peroxides a
nd glutathione (reduced and total) were determined as oxidative stress
biomarkers. Birthweight, Apgar scares, and clinical diagnosis at birt
h were used as neonatal health endpoints. Elevated exposure to oxidize
d nitrogen compounds was associated with increased lipid peroxidation
in both maternal and cord blood, Poor birth outcome was associated wit
h high blood lipid peroxides. Controlling for maternal age, parity, an
d smoking did not affect the relationships materially. The results sho
wed that maternal/fetal exposure to oxidized nitrogen compounds is ass
ociated with increased risk of adverse birth outcome and suggest a rol
e of oxidative damage in the pathogenic pathway.