Perinatal risk factors affecting the maternal and fetal asymmetric dimethylarginine levels

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between maternal risk factors, neonatal demographic features and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in a randomly selected group of pregnancies during delivery. The subjects were categorized into five groups as having: no maternal risk factor, maternal hypertension, gestational diabetes, maternal smoking history, and meconium staining. Blood samples were taken from the mothers before delivery and from the umbilical vein after delivery. Mean ADMA levels were significantly lower in the cord blood when compared with maternal levels in all groups. Mean ADMA level of neonates in the meconium staining group was found to be significantly higher than in the other groups (p<0.001). Maternal age, delivery type, parity and sex did not show any effect on cord blood ADMA levels. Overall, umbilical vein ADMA levels are modulated independent of several maternal features and risk factors. Although these factors are interrelated and it is difficult to interpret the relevant data separately, the most significant factor affecting umbilical vein ADMA levels seems to be perinatal hypoxia as in the case of meconium staining.