Comparison of oxidative stress markers in umbilical cord blood of vaginal and cesarean babies.

Background: Oxidative stress is defined as an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant substances in favor of oxidants. Despite the well-known adverse effects of oxidative stress on the mother, fetus, and newborn, the impact of birth type on oxidative stress experienced by both mother and child remains unclear.

Aims: Our study aimed to investigate the effects of birth type on the oxidant and antioxidant systems through umbilical cord blood analysis.

Methods: Between 37 and 41 weeks of gestation, cord blood was collected from 92 newborn babies. Participants were divided into two groups according to their mode of birth: Group Cesarean Section (n = 45) and Group Normal Vaginal Delivery (n = 47). The material used in the study was umbilical cord blood samples collected immediately after birth. Total Antioxidant Status, Total Oxidant Status, thiol, catalase, arylesterase, paraoxonase and stimulated paraoxonase, measurements were determined.

Results: Neonatal cord blood thiol levels were significantly lower in both the Cesarean section group (195.60 ± 4.27) compared to the Normal Vaginal Delivery group (212.06 ± 6.01,p = 0.025), and in newborns of mothers with a history of urinary tract infection (189.9 ± 2.8) versus those without (206.26 ± 4.3,p = 0.041). No significant differences were observed in Total Antioxidant Status, Total Oxidant Status, catalase, stimulated paraoxonase, paraoxonase or arylesterase levels across the studied groups.

Conclusions: The cesarean birth and maternal urinary tract infection history are associated with significantly reduced neonatal cord blood thiol levels while other oxidative stress markers remain unchanged highlighting thiol's potential role as a sensitive biomarker for birth-related oxidative imbalance and supporting its use in early postnatal risk assessment.