Increased frequency of micronuclei in mononucleated lymphocytes and cytome analysis in healthy newborns as an early warning biomarkers of possible future health risks

Impact of intrauterine development on health risks during adolescence and adulthood still needs to be investigated. The aim of study was to compare genome damage in newborns and mothers using the cytokinesis blocked micronucleus assay, nuclear division index (NDI), and centromere fluorescence in situ hybridization. The study was performed on 92 mothers and their newborns. Results showed that micronucleus frequency in binuclear T-lymphocytes (MNBN) in newborns was significantly lower than in mothers but higher in mononuclear T-lymphocytes (MNMONO). The NDI in the mothers was significantly higher than in the newborns. In newborns with <2500g birth weight, NDI was similar to the mothers'. Mothers have significantly more centromere negative micronuclei than newborns. A significantly higher NDI and MNBN was found in newborns with >= 2 MNMONO/1000 than in newborns with <2 MNMONO/1000. It is suggested that MOMN and NDI might be good candidates for biomarkers of health risks in newborns. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.