Maternal Epilepsy and Umbilical Cord Blood Oxidative Stress Level.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the effect of epilepsy on cord blood oxidative stress status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty (n = 30) pregnant women with epilepsy and thirty (n = 30) healthy controls enrolled in this case control study. Albumin and IMA values and dynamic thiol/disulfide parameters were measured. RESULTS: Decreased native thiol and total thiol levels were found in the epilepsy group when compared to the control group (p 0.001, p 0.002). Higher IMA (p 0.036) and lower albumin cord levels (P < 0.001) were measured in the epilepsy group with respect to the control group. Apgar scores at 1 and 5 miutes were lower in the epilepsy group (respectively; p = 0.012, p = 0.010). A negative correlation was found between IMA and cord pH value (r = 0.288 p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: This study showed that epilepsy may alter thiol disulfide homeostasis and IMA levels.