Plasma Ascorbate and Ceruloplasmin Levels in Thai Premature Infants
Patcharee Boonsiri, PhD*, Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, MD**, Pakaphan Kiatchoosakun, MD**, Wanlaya Naowaratwattana, MSc*, Tueanjit Khampitak, MD*, Pranithi Hongsprabhas, MD***, Puangrat Yongvanit, PhD*
Affiliation : * Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen ** Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen *** Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen
Background : Free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of some complications among pre-
mature infants. Even though ascorbate is an important anti-oxidant in human plasma, it can also act as a
pro-oxidant at high concentrations in the presence of metal ions, which causes oxidative damage in prema-
ture infants.
Objective : To determine plasma ascorbate and ceruloplasmin levels in premature infants (and their mothers)
and full-term infants and to compare between groups.
Materials and Methods : Premature (n = 27) and full-term infants (n = 24) and the mothers of the premature infants
(n = 13) admitted to Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, were enrolled in the study. Plasma
ascorbate and ceruloplasmin levels were determined and compared among various clinical presentations.
Results : Plasma ascorbate has negative correlation with gestational age of infants. Its level on day 1 of the
premature infants was significantly higher than full-term group (52.62 vs 39.00 µmol/L) and then decline
after birth. Premature infants receiving oxygen therapy had lower plasma ascorbate than premature infants
without oxygen therapy (p = 0.017). Plasma ascorbate in premature infants who died was higher than in those
that survived (p = 0.029). Premature infants with poor outcomes had a higher ratio of plasma ascorbate to
ceruloplasmin than those with good outcomes (p < 0.05).
Conclusion : This study shows that high plasma ascorbate and low ceruloplasmin levels are associated with
poor outcomes of premature infants; that is, ascorbate can act as either an anti-oxidant or a pro-oxidant.
Keywords : Vitamin C, Ascorbate, Ceruloplasmin, Premature Infants, Pro-oxidant, Anti-oxidant, Thai
