Background/aim: Location of the gene encoding superoxide-dismutase on chromosome 21 suggests a possible impact on the maternal oxidative stress parameters. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible impact of the fetal trisomy 21 on the level of oxidative stress in mothers.
Methods: The study involved two groups of pregnant women: a study group (n = 30) with fetal trisomy 21 and a control group (n = 50) with physiological pregnancy and normal fetal karyotype. The following parameters were compared between two groups: pro-oxidative (lipid peroxidation), anti-oxidative (SOD, glutathione peroxidase and uric acid), and biochemical markers of the aberrant karyotype (free beta-HCG and PAPP-A).
Results/conclusions: Our data suggest that there may be a change in oxidative stress balance in the study group with trisomy 21 which may lead to the excessive hydrogen peroxide production, compared to the control group with normal pregnancy.
Keywords: Oxidative stress; glutathione peroxidase; lipid peroxidation; pregnancy; superoxide-dismutase; trisomy 21.