Oxidative stress biomarkers of neonates in Saudi population: An observational study

Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between free radical production and antioxidant defense, significantly impacting neonatal health, particularly in preterm infants with immature antioxidant systems. This study aims to assess oxidative stress in Saudi neonates by measuring key antioxidants, both enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and nonenzymatic (glutathione, bilirubin, uric acid), and comparing them across sex (male vs female) and term status (full term vs preterm). A total of 110 Saudi neonates (55 normal neonates and 55 preterm neonates; 52 females and 58 males) were included in this study. The gestational age of preterm neonates ranged from 28 to 36 weeks, with a mean of 32 weeks. Serum samples were retrieved from the chair for biomarkers of chronic diseases BioBank. Ethical approval was obtained from the College of Medicine, King Saud University. GSH levels were higher in preterm neonates compared to normal neonates (16.4 vs 11.0 µmol/L, P < .001), and uric acid levels were higher in normal neonates compared to preterm neonates (246.2 vs 206.2 µmol/L, P < .015). SOD1 levels were higher in preterm neonates compared to normal neonates (291.5 vs 225.4 ng/mL, P < .040). In terms of both term and sex of neonates, GSH levels were higher in preterm female neonates compared to normal female neonates (16.8 vs 13.8 µmol/L, P < .054), and in preterm male neonates compared to normal male neonates (16.4 vs 9.2 µmol/L, P < .001). SOD1 levels were higher in preterm male neonates compared to normal male neonates (300.1 vs 198.8 ng/mL, P < .038), and uric acid levels were higher in normal male neonates compared to preterm male neonates (243.9 vs 200.1 µmol/L, P < .011). GPx-1 levels were higher in preterm neonates compared to normal neonates (14.6 vs 7.9 ng/mL, P < .006). There are no differences in antioxidant parameters between female and male neonates. However, some antioxidants differ between preterm and normal neonates. The comparison according to both sex and term status also showed differences in some antioxidant parameters.