Relationship between Maternal Pregestational Body Mass Index and Neonatal Oxidative Stress

Introduction. Obesity represents a public health problem and within women in labor, it affects not only the mother and the pregnancy but also the health of the fetus. Maternal overweight and obesity in pregnancy are factors that cause metabolic changes in the newborn, including elevated levels of oxidative stress (OS). The aim of the study was to determine the association between maternal body mass index (BMI) and oxidative stress marker levels in their newborns. Methods. A prospective study included 150 mothers and their healthy newborns who were divided into three groups according to progestational BMI. Maternal and umbilical cord blood samples were collected immediately after delivery. Triglycerides and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) levels were quantified. Results. Triglyceride levels were significantly higher in obese mothers and their newborns compared to overweight and normal weight mothers. Significantly elevated levels of TBARS have been observed in obese mothers and their newborns. Maternal BMI was significantly positively correlated with TBARS in mothers (r = 0.290; P = 0.000) and in newborns (r = 0.387; P = 0.000). Maternal (r = 0.540; P = 0.000) and neonatal triglycerides levels (r = 0.483; P = 0.000) were significantly positively associated with BMI. Conclusion. The values of oxidative stress markers TBARS and triglycerides in mothers and newborns immediately after birth were significantly higher in the obese mothers group.