Evaluation of reactive oxygen metabolites with micromethod in neonates: determination of standards of normality in full-term babies.

Abstract

We have evaluated the value of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) in 98 full-term neonates at 72 +/- 6 hours of life with a new colorimetric simple and rapid method (d-ROMs Test, Diacron s.r.l.) to establish the normal values for infants. The mean value of ROMs we have obtained in the total of the population was 127.9 +/- 39.2 U.Carr. We have then considered subgroups of infants on the basis of vaginal delivery vs cesarean section, and asphyxia vs non asphyxia during the delivery. We have found no difference within these groups and between the subgroups and the total population for the value of ROMs. We have preferred to consider as reference value for normality that of babies without intrapartum asphyxia, independently of the mode of delivery. This value is 125.2 +/- 27.6 U.Carr. The value of normality for full-term infants is lower than that reported for adults (between 250-300 U.Carr). This can be interpreted as a particular response of full-term baby to oxidative stress.