Introduction Q10 seems to be one of the first scavenger systems acting against free radical insult and represents the coenzyme limiting the reduction of oxidated vitamin E. We previously observed lower Q10 serum levels in mothers and cord blood (CB) of term neonates born from elective cesarean section performed under general anaesthesia (CSG) compared to term neonates born from natural delivery (ND). General anaesthesia was performed using 50% oxygen (O2) and 50% N2O. Aim To assess the effect of maternal oxygen inhalation on neonatal antioxidant system we compared these results with Q10 serum levels obtained from mothers and cord blood samples of term neonates born from elective cesarean section performed under spinal anaesthesia without O2 administration (CSS). Methods We measured Q10 levels (mg/ml) by high pressure liquid chromatography in 15 mothers and cord blood samples of neonates born from CSS and we compared them to our previous data obtained from CSG and ND.

Results Values are given as mean ±SD. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test. Conclusions These results show a statistically significant reduction of Q10 levels in mother and cord blood samples obtained from CSG vs CSS and ND. The observation that Q10 levels in CSS are significantly higher than CSG suggests that general anesthesia performed with O2 + N2O may cause oxidative stress in neonates. In addition Q10 levels in cord blood of CSS are significantly higher than levels in ND; this observation may be related to the fact that these neonates did not undergo delivery stress and general anaesthesia with O2. Table

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