Super-Oxide Dismutase (SOD) Response in Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) Preterm with Late-Onset Neonatal Septicemia

Abstract

Infants of any gestational age are susceptible to late-onset sepsis. However, very low birth weight infants (those weighing less than 1,500 g) are particularly vulnerable because of the need for invasive monitoring, impaired host defense mechanisms, limited amounts of normal endogenous flora, reduced barrier function of neonatal skin and frequent exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Risk factors for neonatal sepsis include maternal factors, neonatal host factors, and virulence of infecting organism Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) has recently gained notoriety for its connection with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. This disease is a degenerative disorder that leads to selective death of neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to gradually increasing paralysis over a few years The aim of the current study was to examine neutrophil counts and various neutrophil indices in preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) newborn infants with culture proven late- 94  Summary onset sepsis to determine whether the neutrophil responses could predict late-onset sepsis. And to evaluate super oxide dismutase (SOD) status as an enzymatic antioxidant in preterm (VLBW) newborn infants with late-onset sepsis. The present study involved 88 preterm neonates' admitted to Al Galaa Teaching Hospital during the period between June 2009 and May 2010. A total of 44 preterm neonates with late-onset sepsis and 44 gestational age matched healthy preterm neonates were chosen to complete the study. All cases were subjected to Full history taking (prenatal, natal, postnatal), Assessment of gestational age using new Ballard score, Thorough clinical examination for manifestations of neonatal sepsis, Laboratory investigations including Complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein Blood culture and Super-oxide dismutase (SOD). Results of the current study show no significant gender difference in both groups with slight male predominance in group A (25/44, 56.8%) and group B (23/44, 52.3%) (p=0.548). Results of the current study show no significant difference between both study groups regarding maternal age (p=0.388), significant higher vaginal delivery incidence in group A compared to group B (p=0.04), significant higher