Oxidative stress in low birth weight newborns

Abstract

Free radical damage has been recognized to be a common pathogenic mechanism of many neonatal diseases. An excessive and/or sustained increase in free radical production associated with diminished efficacy of the antioxidant defense systems results in oxidative stress, which occurs in many pathologic processes and contributes significantly to disease and can be the key link between size at birth and increased morbidity later in life. Low birth weight is closely associated with fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, inhibited growth and cognitive development, and chronic diseases later in life. Low birth weight is considered the primary factor associated with a poor perinatal outcome of maternal preeclampsia/eclampsia and premature birth. High oxidative stress and low level of enzymatic antioxidants and antioxidant nutrients such as vitamins A, E, and C, zinc, copper, and selenium and antioxidant status might be increasing the risk of pathogenesis of major complications in low birth weight newborns.