Selenium status in term neonates, according to birth weight and gestational age, in relation to maternal hypertensive pathology

BackgroundPregnancy represents a state of increased oxidative stress and antioxidants, in which selenium (Se) plays a pivotal role, contribute to maintain the oxidative balance. If antioxidant defenses are depleted, placental function is disrupted, resulting in pregnancy complications, including pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Little is known about fetal selenium status in concomitant relation to maternal PIH, gestational age (GA) and birthweight (BW).MethodsWe examined over a 3-year period the serum (SeS) and urine selenium (SeU) status in term neonates from normotensive (nonPIH) and hypertensive (PIH) mothers as clinical markers of oxidative stress. In this retrospective observational study, 72 neonates with maternal PIH were matched for GA and BW to 72 neonates of normotensive mothers. Four groups were obtained, based on maternal PIH and BW relative to GA (appropriate-for-gestational-age—AGA, small-for-gestational-age—SGA): nonPIH-AGA (control group), nonPIH-SGA, PIH-AGA, and PIH-SGA.ResultsThe results showed significant differences (p < 0.001) in selenium levels among the study groups: SeS - 44.85 ± 7.56 μg/L in nonPIH-AGA, 39.62 ± 11.42 μg/L in nonPIH-SGA, 40.01 ± 10.07 μg/L in PIH-AGA, and 25.39 ± 8.99 μg/L in PIH-SGA; SeU - 27.98 ± 7.99 μg/L in nonPIH-AGA, 22.85 ± 9.48 μg/L in nonPIH-SGA, 23.44 ± 6.73 μg/L in PIH-AGA, and 13.05 ± 5.86 μg/L in PIH-SGA. Selenium depletion was more common in neonates born from hypertensive mothers and those born small for gestational age. Though moderate in intensity, selenium levels were positively correlated with BW (0.319 for SeS, 0.397 for SeU) and negatively correlated with maternal systolic blood pressure (−0.313 for SeS, −0.324 for SeU). The main independent effects on SeS and SeU of each maternal blood pressure and birth weight turned out statistically significant. In interaction, a more pronounced effect was reached in PIH-SGA neonates.ConclusionSelenium status seemed to reflect the negative impact that PIH exerts in neonates during intrauterine development. Clinical markers of selenium status could thus be of great value for tracking responses of individuals to selenium supplementation as part of health improvement and harm mitigation approaches

INDICELE INTIMĂ MEDIE CAROTIDIAN LA COPIII OBEZI NĂSCUŢI CU GREUTATE MICĂ PENTRU VÂRSTA GESTAŢIONALĂ VERSUS CEI NĂSCUŢI CU GREUTATE NORMALĂ PENTRU VÂRSTA GESTAŢIONALĂ

Indicele intimǎ medie carotidian (IMc) este un cunoscut marker subclinic pentru aterosclerozǎ. Fenomenul de recuperare nutriţionalǎ la copiii nǎscuţi mici pentru vârsta gestaţionalǎ (SGA) a fost asociat cu obezitate precoce şi cu riscul dezvoltǎrii sindromului metabolic. Scop. De a determina dacǎ existǎ o asociere între SGA şi IMc; de a stabili valori prag ale IMc la copiii obezi. Material şi metodǎ. Studiul prospectiv a fot derulat pe o perioadǎ de un an (iulie 2012 – iunie 2013). Au fost analizaţi 122 de pacienţi cu obezitate, 96 de pacienţi nǎscuţi cu greutate normalǎ pentru naştere (AGA) şi 26 de pacienţi nǎscuţi cu greutate micǎ pentru naştere (SGA). Ambele loturi au fost omogene din punct de vedere al vârstei, sexului şi indicelui de masǎ corporalǎ (IMC). Folosind curba ROC au fost stabilite valori prag pentru ambele grupe. IMc a fost semnifi cativ mai crescut la lotul SGA (p = 0,0035). Valoarea prag de 0,049 cm pentru IMc a fost obţinutǎ la ambele loturi, cumulat, cu o specifi citate şi sensibilitate crescutǎ. Concluzii. Copiii nǎscuţi SGA se asociazǎ cu risc aterosclerotic. IMc este un cunoscut marker subclinic pentru aterosclerozǎ, fi ind o metodǎ ieftinǎ şi noninvazivǎ. Studii populaţionale extinse sunt necesare în vederea stabilirii unor valori prag în ceea ce priveşte IMc

Extreme Birth Weight and Metabolic Syndrome in Children

Small and large birth weights (BWs) for gestational age (GA) represent extremes, but the correlation between extreme BW and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we examined this correlation in obese children based on changes in their metabolic profile from childhood to adolescence. A retrospective observational study was performed on 535 obese patients aged 0–18 years in the Clinical and Emergency Hospital for Children “Louis Turcanu” in Timisoara, Romania, based on clinical and biological data from January 2015 to December 2019. We emphasized the links between extreme BW and obesity, extreme BW and cardiometabolic risk, obesity and cardiometabolic risk, and extreme BW, obesity and MetS. Children born large for gestational age (LGA) predominated over those born small for gestational age (SGA). Our findings showed that BW has an independent effect on triglycerides and insulin resistance, whereas obesity had a direct influence on hypertension, impaired glucose metabolism and hypertriglyceridemia. The influences of BW and obesity on the development of MetS and its components are difficult to separate; therefore, large prospective studies in normal-weight patients are needed

Evaluation of Serum Selenium Status by Age and Gender: A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study in Western Romania

Selenium, residing in a series of selenoproteins, plays an important role in both female and male reproductive function. Of particular significance for reproduction is the antioxidant glutathione peroxidase (GPx), a main selenoenzyme, whose level is regulated by the availability of Se in the body. We hypothesized that changes in Se status, closely related to GPx activity, would result in an increased risk of reproductive dysfunction in individuals. We retrospectively investigated the serum selenium (SeS) concentrations of 1264 apparently healthy people, aged 16–89 years, from Western Romania. The general analysis revealed a non-normal SeS distribution with a median SeS of 100.26 ± 18.32 μg/L and a significant difference in SeS levels between age groups. The analysis of the young group (16–35 years) revealed that up to 50% of individuals did not reach the SeS threshold corresponding to maximum GPx activity (80 μg/L), and a significant imbalance between the genders was apparent when looking at SeS values outside the range. Our results correlated with the general diminished reproductive ability registered in Romania during the last few years. Serum selenium content proves to offer a proper reflection of the fertility competence of the young population, and its monitoring is important for guiding dietary adjustments and attaining normal reproductive function

Extreme Birth Weight and Metabolic Syndrome in Children

Small and large birth weights (BWs) for gestational age (GA) represent extremes, but the correlation between extreme BW and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we examined this correlation in obese children based on changes in their metabolic profile from childhood to adolescence. A retrospective observational study was performed on 535 obese patients aged 0–18 years in the Clinical and Emergency Hospital for Children “Louis Turcanu” in Timisoara, Romania, based on clinical and biological data from January 2015 to December 2019. We emphasized the links between extreme BW and obesity, extreme BW and cardiometabolic risk, obesity and cardiometabolic risk, and extreme BW, obesity and MetS. Children born large for gestational age (LGA) predominated over those born small for gestational age (SGA). Our findings showed that BW has an independent effect on triglycerides and insulin resistance, whereas obesity had a direct influence on hypertension, impaired glucose metabolism and hypertriglyceridemia. The influences of BW and obesity on the development of MetS and its components are difficult to separate; therefore, large prospective studies in normal-weight patients are needed

Correlation between adipokines and carotid intima media thickness in a group of obese Romanian children: is small for gestational age status an independent factor for cardiovascular risk?

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the relationship between markers of adiposity and common carotid artery (CIMT) in obese children born small for gestational age (SGA) versus appropriate for gestational age (AGA), to establish cut-off values for CIMT in obese pediatric populations. Subjects and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out over a 1-year period (Jul 2013 – June 2014). We analyzed 122 obese patients aged 4-20 (mean age 14.9 ± 2.28). Twenty-six patients were born SGA. CIMT was measured in all the patients. Using ROC curve, cut-off values were obtained for both groups. Results We demonstrated a correlation between CIMT and adiponectin, leptin and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (r = -0.25, r = 0.279, r = 0.498) in obese children. CIMT in obese children born SGA were significantly increased as compared with obese children born AGA of similar age, sex and body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.0035). A CIMT cut off value of 0.049 cm has been obtained with a high sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion CIMT is a well-known marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and its measurement is a noninvasive and inexpensive method of detecting subclinical atherosclerosis. Being born SGA increases the atherogenic risk. Obese children with CIMT above 0.049 cm should be screened for metabolic syndrome (MetS)

COMMON CAROTID INTIMA MEDIA THICKNESS IN OBESE CHILDREN BORN SMALL FOR GESTATIONAL AGE VERSUS APPROPRIATE FOR GESTATIONAL AGE

The intima media thickness of the common carotid artery (CIMT) is a well-known marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. The “catch-up growth” phenomenon in children born small for gestational age (SGA) has been linked to early onset obesity with the subsequent emergence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Aim: to determine the association between being born SGA and CIMT, a measure of atherogenesis and to establish cut off values for CIMT in obese children. Material and methods. A prospective study was carried out over a 1 year period (Jul 2012-June 2013). We analyzed 122 obese patients, 96 patients appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and 26 patients SGA. Both groups were matched for age, sex and BMI. CIMT was measured in all the patients. Using ROC curve, cut off values have been obtained for both groups. Results. CIMT in obese children born SGA was signifi cantly increased as compared with obese children born AGA similar age, sex and BMI (p = 0.0035). A CIMT cut off value of 0.049 cm has been obtained with a high sensitivity and specifi city. Conclusion. Being born SGA increases the atherogenic risk. CIMT is a well-known marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and is a noninvasive and inexpensive method for detecting development of subclinical atherosclerosis. Further population studies regarding reference values for CIMT in obese children born SGA and AGA are necessary

Correlation between adipokines and carotid intima media thickness in a group of obese Romanian children: is small for gestational age status an independent factor for cardiovascular risk?

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the relationship between markers of adiposity and common carotid artery (CIMT) in obese children born small for gestational age (SGA) versus appropriate for gestational age (AGA), to establish cut-off values for CIMT in obese pediatric populations. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out over a 1-year period (Jul 2013 -June 2014). We analyzed 122 obese patients aged 4-20 (mean age 14.9 ± 2.28). Twenty-six patients were born SGA. CIMT was measured in all the patients. Using ROC curve, cut-off values were obtained for both groups. Results: We demonstrated a correlation between CIMT and adiponectin, leptin and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (r = -0.25, r = 0.279, r = 0.498) in obese children. CIMT in obese children born SGA were significantly increased as compared with obese children born AGA of similar age, sex and body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.0035). A CIMT cut off value of 0.049 cm has been obtained with a high sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion: CIMT is a well-known marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and its measurement is a noninvasive and inexpensive method of detecting subclinical atherosclerosis. Being born SGA increases the atherogenic risk. Obese children with CIMT above 0.049 cm should be screened for metabolic syndrome (MetS)