Do Lower Levels of Fetal Hemoglobin in Preterm Infants Relate to Oxidative Stress?

Autores de IIS La Fe

• Laura Torrejón Rodríguez

  Autor

• Anna Parra Llorca

  Autor

• Alejandro Pinilla González

  Autor

• Inmaculada Lara Cantón

  Autor

• Abel Albiach Delgado

  Autor

• María Cernada Badía

  Autor

• Raquel Escrig Fernández

  Autor

• Julia Kuligowski

  Autor

• Marta Aguar Carrascosa

  Autor

• Máximo Vento Torres

  Autor

Grupos

• Perinatología

Abstract

Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) has a higher affinity to oxygen than adult hemoglobin, allowing for a slower oxygen transfer to peripheral tissue, creating a microenvironment conducive to adequate fetal development in utero. However, most preterm infants receive packed red blood cell transfusions from adult donors leading to a drastic nonphysiological descent of circulating HbF. We hypothesized that this drop could enhance oxygen delivery to peripheral tissues generating a hyperoxic pro-oxidant environment. To investigate this, we assessed differences in oxidative stress biomarkers determined in urine samples in a cohort of 56 preterm infants born <32 weeks' gestation. Median oxidative stress biomarkers were compared between patients with circulating HbF above or below median HbF levels using Wilcoxon rank sum test. Oxidative stress biomarkers were significantly higher in the group of patients with lower levels of HbF. This study provides the initial evidence indicating elevated levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in preterm neonates with lower HbF levels. Based on the results, we hypothesize that HbF may contribute to preventing free radical-associated conditions during the newborn period.

Keywords

• preterm infant; oxidative stress; fetal hemoglobin; adult hemoglobin; biomarkers