Acute postnatal increase of extracellular antioxidant defence of neonates:the role of iron metabolism

In this study we investigated the extracellular antioxidant capacity of neo nates during the first two postnatal days and its association with iron met abolism. Cord blood and blood samples at 47 +/- 6 postnatal hours were take n from 10 healthy neonates and their antioxidant capacity was determined us ing Randox Antioxidant kits and the heme-specific antioxidant activity (HSA A). Randox indicates the chain-breaking antioxidant capacity; HSAA correspo nds to the ability to limit lipid peroxidation. Iron, ferritin and transfer rin levels were also measured. Randox and HSAA values were 30% higher, ferr itin was 100% higher and iron was 60% lower postnatally. The amount of chan ge in HSAA values correlated with the change in ferritin level (r = 0.67, p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that extracellular antioxidant capacity ( both chain-breaking and heme-specific antioxidant activities) increases sho rtly after birth. Lower iron and higher ferritin levels could also be respo nsible for this phenomenon.