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Fetal growth is linked with amniotic fluid antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress, minerals and prenatal supplementation.
A retrospective study of 176 pregnant women has revealed critical links between fetal growth and the antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress, and mineral composition of amniotic fluid—factors that are influenced by prenatal over-the-counter multivitamin-mineral supplementation.
The research focused on 5 standard fetal ultrasound measurements—biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, and estimated fetal weight—taken at two key stages of pregnancy: early (16–20 weeks) and late gestation (32–36 weeks). Meanwhile, amniotic fluid samples collected between 12 and 20 weeks were analyzed for concentrations of 15 minerals and trace elements, along with biomarkers of oxidative stress, including nitric oxide, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), which reflects total antioxidant capacity.
A strong positive link was noted between TBARS (a marker of oxidative stress) and 7 minerals in amniotic fluid, including calcium, copper, magnesium, nickel, strontium, zinc, and iron. At 16–20 weeks, copper, nickel, strontium, and selenium levels in amniotic fluid were positively linked with fetal biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length measurements, respectively. Nitric oxide showed a positive association with femur length, while higher antioxidant capacity (FRAP) correlated inversely with estimated fetal weight in both early and late gestation.
At 32–36 weeks, calcium was positively associated with biparietal diameter, whereas chromium and arsenic were negatively linked to head circumference. Importantly, prenatal over-the-counter multivitamin-mineral supplementation appeared to influence these biochemical markers and fetal growth patterns, highlighting a complex interplay between maternal nutrition, oxidative stress, and fetal development.
These findings suggest that minerals and oxidative stress biomarkers in the amniotic fluid play fundamental roles in fetal growth trajectories, with antioxidant capacity potentially moderating these effects. The study provides novel insights into how prenatal supplementation and in-utero biochemical environments collectively impact fetal development. Understanding these relationships could inform improved prenatal care strategies aimed at optimizing fetal growth and oxidative stress management during pregnancy.
Antioxidants
Fetal Growth Is Associated with Amniotic Fluid Antioxidant Capacity, Oxidative Stress, Minerals and Prenatal Supplementation: A Retrospective Study
Mozhgan Kohzadi et al.
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