Mode of delivery changes oxidative and antioxidative properties of human milk: a prospective controlled clinical investigation

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the influence of delivery mode on oxidative stress in human breast milk.

Methods: Thirty-three women who delivered by vaginal birth and 55 women who underwent cesarean section (CS) were included in this study. Colostral samples were collected on the second day after delivery. Total antioxidative status (TAS), total oxidative status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), malonyldialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were determined and compared.

Results: Colostrum TAS was significantly higher in women of vaginal birth, than in women with CS (p < 0.001). Milk TOS and OSI were found to be significantly increased in women with CS under general anesthesia. A marked increase in colostral GSH-Px levels after vaginal delivery was also noticed (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: This study revealed that vaginal birth is associated with decreased oxidative stress in colostrum than CS, which suggest that mode of delivery plays an important role in the antioxidative production of breast milk.

• Breast milk
• cesarean section
• oxidative stress
• parturition

Declaration of interest

This study has been funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) with a project number of 2209.

The authors report no declarations of interest.