An Evaluation of Oxidative Status in Serum and Breast Milk of Mothers Giving Birth Prematurely and at Full-Term

Abstract

Background:Burning fat and carbohydrates to provide energy in biological systems causes the formation of free oxygen species.Objectives:This study aimed to evaluate the oxidative status of serum and breast milk of mothers giving birth prematurely and at full-term.Materials and Methods:The study comprised 50 mothers who gave birth at full-term at more than 38 weeks and 43 mothers who gave birth pre-term at below 32 weeks. On the postnatal 5th day, samples of the mother’s milk and serum were taken and stored at -80°C until the study day. On the study day, the total oxidant and total antioxidant levels were measured using the Erel method and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated.Results:While the total oxidant level and total antioxidant level values of the milk of the premature birth mothers were found to be significantly high compared to those of the full-term birth mothers (P = 0.001), no statistically significant difference was found in the oxidative stress index values (P > 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in the total oxidant level and oxidative stress index values of the serum of the premature birth mothers compared to those of the full-term birth mothers, while the total antioxidant level was found to be significantly low (P = 0.04).Conclusions:The oxidants and antioxidants in the milk of mothers giving birth prematurely were found to be significantly higher than those of full-term birth mothers. This can be evaluated as the milk of the premature birth mothers providing increased antioxidant defense to protect the infant.

Analysis of the composition and antioxidant status of breast milk in women giving birth prematurely and on time

“…Similar results to ours were presented by Abuhandan et al [23], in which the TAS (total antioxidant status measured in μmol H2O2) of premature mothers' milk was also higher and was 0.21±0.03 compared with milk of mothers giving birth at a time (0.18±0.02) (22). Paduraru et al [24] did not show statistical significance between samples in total antioxidant status tested by the ABTS method in breast milk samples in similar test groups [24].…”

“…The discrepancy in results may be due to maternal factors, supplementation, perinatal factors, and eating habits of the nursing mother [25]. Scientists believe that the reduction of antioxidant levels in breast milk may be affected by stress, long hospitalization and mother's health [23,24,27].…”

Evaluation of Total Antioxidant Capacity and Total Oxidant Status of Preterm and Term Breast Milk during the Course of Lactation and within a Nursing Session

“…21 Similarly, Abuhandan et al found higher TAC and TOS in preterm BM compared with term BM, but OSI was not found to be different between the groups. 31 In contrast, Quiles at al reported lower coenzyme Q, TAC, and α and γ tocopherol levels in colostrum and transitional milk of preterm newborns compared with term newborns. These levels were measured as close to identical in mature milk.…”

Total antioxidant status in fresh and stored human milk from mothers of term and preterm neonates

“…20 Abuhandan et al found that the oxidants and antioxidants in the milk of mothers of premature infants were significantly higher than those of full-term birth mothers. 21 Although the study groups enrolled similar number of subjects, the prematurity focused on 30e32 weeks' gestation, and the method used differed in terms of technique (Erel method) and units, so absolute values cannot be compared with ours. Moreover, the samples were collected on day 5 and preserved for an unspecified interval of time at À80 C, so comparison with our data would be inappropriate.…”