The Association between Low Birth Weight, Oxidative Stress Biomarkers, and Umbilical Cord Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Deliveries at Nkwen District Hospital in Bamenda, Cameroon

Aim: To determine the effect of umbilical cord T. gondii on oxidative stress biomarkers and its relationship with low birth weight. Methodology: The study material was umbilical cord blood from newborns delivered vaginally. Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and gluthatione (GSH) were assessed using colorimetric assays. Neonatal birth weights at birth were also recorded. Results: In total, 97 patients were included in the study (77 newborns with cord T. gondii positive and 20 negatives). The levels of MDA and NO was higher (p<0.0001), and low levels of SOD, CAT and GSH (p<0.0001) in infected cord blood compared to non-infected. The levels of MDA and GSH (p = 0.016 and p = 0.005) were higher, while SOD and CAT (p = 0.004 and p = 0.005) were lower in chronic infection compared to acute infection. High level of NO was also observed in chronic infection, though not significant. In neonates with T. gondii-positive cords, those with normal birth showed high levels of MDA, SOD, CAT, and GSH (p<0.0001) and low level of NO (p<0.0001) compared to those with low birth weight. The birth weight was negatively correlated with cord blood levels of MDA and NO (p = 0.001), and positively correlated with the levels of CAT, GSH and SOD (p = 0.001). In neonate with T. gondii-negative cords, there was no difference in MDA, SOD, CAT, and GSH and NO between those with normal and low birth weight and there the birth weight was not significantly correlated with those oxidative biomarkers. Conclusion: Umbilical cord T. gondii infection may cause oxidative stress jn cord blood with MDA, which alongside high NO could lead to low birth weight. The findings contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of umbilical cord T. gondii infection in neonates and encourage further investigation.