| Abstract: | Glutathione peroxidase activity was estimated in the cord blood of 47 newborn infants. In 23 cases corresponding maternal glutathione peroxidase activities were measured at time of delivery and compared with 23 non-pregnant women of the same age. Mean cord blood activity was 23.6 +/- 4.8 IU/g Hb at 37 degrees C. Maternal smoking and male fetal sex were associated with significantly lower fetal glutathione peroxidase activity. Maternal levels (33.0 +/- 5.0 IU/g Hb) were significantly higher than those in cord blood (p less than 0.001) but were the same as those for non-pregnant women. Maternal to cord blood level ratio was 1.5:1. |
