Oxidative stress in newborns

Newborns, and especially those delivered preterm, are probably more prone to oxidative stress than individuals later in life. Even during pregnancy, the greater demand for oxygen increases the rate of production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and moreover, women with normal pregnancies have a state of high oxidative stress compared to nonpregnant women. In addition, there appears to be increased ROS production in the placenta of preeclamptic women. In comparison with healthy adults, newborn infants have lower levels of plasma antioxidants such as vitamin E, b-carotene, and sulphydryl groups, lower levels of plasma metal binding proteins including ceruloplasmin and transferrin, and reduced activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase.