Premium
Hypoxia‐induced free iron release in the red cells of newborn infants *
Author(s) -
Buonocore G,
Zani S,
Sargentini I,
Gioia D,
Signorini C,
Bracci R
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1998.tb01390.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hypoxia (environmental) , physiology , oxygen , organic chemistry , chemistry
Heparinized blood samples were obtained at birth from 164 newborn infants (101 full term; 63 preterm). Intra‐erythrocyte free iron concentration and hypoxanthine plasma levels were determined by high‐pressure liquid chromatography. Intra‐erythrocyte free iron concentration was higher in preterm than in full term babies ( p < 0:0001) and adults ( p < 0:0001). Statistically significant correlations were observed between intra‐erythrocyte free iron concentration and hypoxanthine levels ( r = 0:66; p = 0:0001), pH ( r = ‐ 0:76; p = 0:0001), base excess (r = ‐ 0:79; p = 0:0001), and gestational age ( r = ‐ 0:44; p = 0:0001) in both infant populations. Multiple regression analysis between intra‐erythrocyte free iron concentration in cord blood, as an independent variable, and Apgar score at 1 min, pH, base excess, hypoxanthine values, FiO 2 needed for resuscitation immediately after delivery, and gestational age, as dependent variables, identified hypoxanthine levels ( p = 0:0003; partial F ‐test = 15.4) as the best single predictor of intra‐erythrocyte free iron concentration. In conclusion, hypoxia induces intra‐erythrocyte free iron release, and therefore enhances the risk of oxidative injury due to hydroxyl radical generation.