Abstract

Objective: In the human fetus, an increased lactate level can is anticipated due to hypoxia and stress. Thiol-disulfide homeostasis is essential for the body to maintain effective antioxidant defense mechanisms. We showed the relationship between thiol-disulfide homeostasis and lactate levels in newborns without fetal distress.

Methods: In this prospective study, the participants were grouped according to the mode of delivery: Vaginal delivery group (n=21) and cesarean group (n=39). Serum samples were collected from the cord blood and pH, base excess, lactate levels and thiol-disulfide homeostasis in cord blood were determined in both groups of newborn. Cut-off values for lactate were taken as 4 mmol/L. Above this value is defined as a high lactate level. Infants were also divided into two groups according to lactate levels as group I: lactate levels more than 4 mmol/L and group II: lactate levels ≤4 mmol/L.

Results: Birthweight, gestational age, the first minute and the fifth minute Apgar score were having no difference in both groups. There were significant correlations between lactate levels and cord blood native thiol (r=-0.461 and p<0.001), lactate levels and cord blood total thiol (r=-0.453 and p<0.001).

Conclusion: High lactate levels are multifactorial and usually indicate impairment of tissue perfusion. Our study is one of the rare studies on this subject; it was shown that lactate levels showed were significantly correlated with cord blood native thiol and total thiol. The related parameters might be new markers for the diagnosis of tissue hypoxia in newborn.