DNA Damage and Oxidative Status of Full Term Babies Delivered by Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery and Caesarean Section

Özet

OBJECTIVES: At this study, it is aimed to research DNA damage and oxidative stress in infants with born timely normal spontaneous vaginal delivery and elective caesarean. STUDY DESIGN: Healthy term babies born with normal spontaneous vaginal delivery (n=36) and elec- tive caesarean section (n = 36) were included in the study. Determination of DNA damage was studied in fresh heparinized blood by the Comet Assay (mononuclear cell alkaline electrophoresis) method. Total oxidant capacity and total antioxidant capacity values were measured by using Erel method (colorimet- ric) on study day by autoanalysers and oxidative stress index values were calculated. RESULTS: Mean total oxidant capacity, oxidative stress index and DNA damage values were signifi- cantly higher in babies born with normal spontaneous vaginal delivery compared to those born with elec- tive cesarean section (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). Serum total antioxidant capacity val- ues were not statistically significant (p=0.127). CONCLUSION: In this study, oxidative stress and DNA damage values of babies born with normal spon- taneous vaginal delivery were found to be higher than those born by elective cesarean section. This sug- gests that there may be a relationship between the mode of delivery and oxidative stress, and that in- creased oxidative stress may also lead to DNA damage.