Abstract
Background: Carnitine blood levels are closely related to β-oxidation and implicated with strenuous muscle contractions. Normal delivery process is characterized by the participation of the uterus and most skeletal muscles.
Methods: Women with normal pregnancy (n=56) were divided into two groups. Group A (n=26) with normal labor and vaginal delivery and group B (n=30) with scheduled cesarean section. Blood was obtained from the mothers at the beginning of labor and immediately after delivery (pre- vs. post-delivery), as well as from the cord blood (CB). Total antioxidant status (TAS) was measured with a commercial kit and carnitine was measured in blood spots on Guthrie cards with tandem-mass spectrometry.
Results: TAS and carnitine levels were similar in all the groups pre-delivery. In contrast, TAS and carnitine levels were significantly lower in group A than in group B post-delivery. Remarkably lower TAS and carnitine levels were measured in the CB of neonates of group A as compared to the CB of neonates of group B.
Conclusions: The lower TAS and carnitine levels measured in group A as compared to group B post-delivery may be due to uterus and skeletal muscle contraction during a normal labor process. Infants born with scheduled cesarean section are benefited with high carnitine levels to face oxidation perinatally.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2008;46:680–6.
©2008 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
