Maternal and fetal thiol/disulfide homeostasis in fetal growth restriction

Purpose: To evaluate thiol/disulfide homeostasis in both maternal and fetal compartment in the presence of fetal growth restriction (FGR). Materials and methods: A prospective case-control study was carried out in women with FGR (n: 40) or normally growing fetus (n: 40). FGR was defined as estimated fetal weight below the 10th percentile for the gestational age. Maternal serum and fetal cord blood samples were collected from all participants and native thiol-disulfide exchanges were examined with automated method enabling the measurement of both sides of thiol-disulfide balance. Results: Native thiol, total thiol and disulfide amounts were decreased in the maternal serum and fetal cord blood of babies born to women with FGR (p < .05). The most sensitive marker was maternal native thiol (82.5, 95% confidence interval, 67.22-92.66%), while the maternal total thiol had highest specificity value (77.5, 95% confidence interval, 61.55-89.16%). Conclusions: Maternal and fetal serum thiol/disulfide profiles may use prediction of FGR severity and its neonatal outcome.

Automated summary

The study evaluated thiol/disulfide homeostasis in maternal and fetal compartments with fetal growth restriction (FGR), finding decreased levels in native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide in both maternal serum and fetal cord blood of babies born to women with FGR. Maternal native thiol was the most sensitive marker, while maternal total thiol had the highest specificity value for predicting FGR severity and neonatal outcomes.