Does a risky outcome of antenatal screening test indicate oxidative stress?

Objective: The study aimed to investigate a possible relationship between second trimester aneuploidiy screening results and oxidative stress in foetal amnion and maternal serum.

Methods: Concerning the outcome of the second-trimester screening test, 50 pregnant women of high risk were included in the experimental group, whereas 50 pregnant women with normal scores who wished to proceed with the amniocentesis procedure due to advanced maternal age and counselling were included in the control group. The biochemical parameters of total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured in the amniotic fluid samples and maternal serum samples.

Results: OSI in the maternal serum samples, as well as TAS and TOS in the amniotic fluid, was significantly higher in the control group compared to the experimental group (p < 0.001, p = 0.047, p = 0.005, respectively). There was no significant difference in the TAS and TOS in the maternal serum samples or the OSI in the amniotic fluid between the groups.

Conclusions: The results indicate that the positivity of the screening test is not significantly correlated with oxidative stress, a factor regarded as a pathological mechanism in various diseases. Potential maternal anxiety could underlie the elevated oxidative stress in the control group.