Effect of Neonatal Oxidative Stresses on Serum Level of Vitamin A and Vitamin E

MOHAMED S. EL SHIMY, M.D.1, SUZAN ABD RAZIK MOHAMED, M.D.1;; SAHAR S. ABD EL MAKSOUD, M.D.2, WAFAA OSMAN AHMED, M.D.1;; EMAN R ALI, M.Sc.4, AHMED S. EL GAYED, M.D.3;; AMIRA A. EL GAMMAL, M.D.5, EMAN M. EL SAYED, M.D1

doi:10.21608/mjcu.2023.305938

Effect of Neonatal Oxidative Stresses on Serum Level of Vitamin A and Vitamin E

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

The Departments of Pediatrics1, Clinical Pathology2, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Department of Pediatrics3, October 6th University, Department of Pediatrics4, Ministry of Health and Department of Pediatrics5, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

10.21608/mjcu.2023.305938

Abstract

Abstract Background: Free radicals are described as molecules with one or more unpaired electrons in their outer shells and are produced continuously in all cells as a byproduct of cell metabolism. When the antioxidant system is not functioning properly and there is an excess of free radicals (FRs), oxidative stress occurs. Redox homeostasis is the state of equilibrium between the antioxidant system and the generation of free radicals. Essential micronutrients vitamin A and vitamin E have an antioxidant impact because they can interact with oxygen free radicals. Aim of Study: Measure vitamin and E in neonates before and after exposure to oxidative stresses during NICU admission. Patients and Methods: The current study included 10 matched controls and 40 newborns, 30 of whom were hospi-talized to the neonatal critical care unit at Ain Shams, during the period of January to June 2015. According to various procedures and co-morbidities they had, the study was aimed to assess the levels of serum vitamin A and E in hospitalised neonates before admission and after discharge. By comparing these findings to controls (as an indication to oxidative stress). Results: Vitamin A and B serum levels before admission were decreased in the study group when compared to controls. In addition, there was a significant drop in both vitamin A and E serum levels in cases at discharge than before admission. There was a significant drop in both vitamin A and B in preterms when compared to term neonates. There was also a significant drop in vitamin A and E serum levels with different neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) procedures, which include, mechanical ventilation, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), blood transfusion, and phototherapy. Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed, a significant consumption of both vitamins A and E as antioxi-dants in different neonatal co-morbidities, and the need of an extrademand of these vitamins in, preterms, neonates with prolonged NICU stay, and neonates exposed to multiple NICU procedures including, (MV, phototherapy, TPN infusion, and blood transfusion).

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