EXPOSURE TO OXIDIZED NITROGEN - LIPID-PEROXIDATION AND NEONATAL HEALTH RISK

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.