Evaluation of oxidative stress in children with congenital heart defects

Background: A significant cause of death and chronic illness in childhood is caused by cardiovascular diseases, including congenital heart disease (CHD). This study aims to investigate the oxidative stress status and to establish its association with CHD in children. Methods: The study involves measurements of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO), total anti-oxidant capacity, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen and cytokine (interleukin [IL-6] and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) levels in 43 children with CHD and 30 healthy age-matched children. Results: MDA, PCO, hs-CRP, fibrinogen, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were significantly elevated while total anti-oxidant capacity was significantly declined in patients compared with the controls. MDA was positively correlated with PCO, hs-CRP, Qp/Qs and systolic pulmonary artery pressure. PCO was positively correlated with hs-CRP, fibrinogen, IL-6 and systolic pulmonary artery pressure. Conclusion: Oxidative stress and its association with other markers in children with CHD was established. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that PCO has been used as a biomarker in CHD and it may be employed as a new diagnostic biomarker in CHD and in the assessment of its severity.