this life threatening situation cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor (Parecoxib) andmineralocorticoid (Fludrocortisone) treatment was started simultaneouslyand led to a dramatic improvement after the first dose. When both drugs werewithheld experimentally, diuresis continued to fall to normal levels. Thepresumptive diagnosis of Bartter's Syndrome was supported by an elevatedurinary excretion of Prostaglandin-E, however, no mutations were found.

Conclusions

Conclusion: The sustained improvement after discontinuation of treat-ment suggests maturational effects on renal tubular function.

doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2008.09.259

Abstract UENPS.244Unrequired pre-term caesarean section because of urinarytract dilatation

László Szabó⁎a, Miklós Merkszb, András Kissb, Zsuzsanna Székhelyia,Péter Berkoa, Béla Lombaya, Gyula RétiaaBorsod County University Hospital, Miskolc, HungarybPál Heim Children Hospital, Budapest, Hungary

Background and aim

Pre-term caesarean section is unrequired in order to enable the operationof dilatation of urinary tract in neonate.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis of the patients of two large case-volume paediatricinstitutions. In a period of 5 years, 329 neonateswere followed due to intrauterinediagnosis of urinary tract dilatations (197 at the Department of Urology, Heim PálChildren'sHospital inBudapest,whereas inMiskolc 132), including13 caseswherethe urological anomaly was the indication for pre-term induction of labour.

Results

Of the 13 neonateswho had been delivered prematurely, nonewere operatedbefore the postconceptional age of 40 weeks, and 3 subsequently required nosurgical intervention. Two neonates developed life-threatening conditions thatpresumably could have been avoided without the premature caesarean section.

Conclusions

There are several arguments against pre-term delivery: 1. Prenataldiagnostics does not always yield as accurate information as the diagnosticprocedures performed in infancy; 2. Intrauterine urinary tract dilatation oftenresolve spontaneously, superseding the need for both pre- and post-natalsurgical interventions. 3. Scientific observations have confirmed that there is nodifference between the efficacy of postnatal and pre-term interventions. Basedon the above-mentioned, authors emphasize that this outdated practice can nolonger be accepted, and call for good cooperation between the obstetrician, thepaediatricurologist andnephrologist, to coordinate themanagementof the case.

doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2008.09.260

Abstract UENPS.245Lutein and oxidative stress in term healthy newborns

Serafina Perrone⁎, Mariangela Longini, Giovanni Turrisi, Fabrizio Proietti,Antonello Rodriguez, Cosetta Felici, Anna Picardi, Giuseppe BuonocoreUniversity of Siena, Siena, Italy

Background and aim

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a crucial role in pathological conditions duringpregnancy and in the early neonatal period. The newborns are very

susceptible to oxidative damage because they have low levels of antioxidantenzymes and high metabolic rate. Lutein has been found to have protectivefunctions in adult humans as antioxidant. Direct evidence of potentialantioxidant influence of lutein in newborn infants is lacking.

In this study we aimed to evaluate the effects of lutein on oxidative stress inhealthy term newborns. We tested the hypothesis that lutein would act in thenewborn both by increasing antioxidant capacity and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

Materials and methods

Twenty randomized term newborns were the subjects: 10 babies receivedlutein 1 ml/die (0.28 mg, one dose) per OS at 12 and 36 h after birth; 10 babieswere used as control group. TH (Total Hydroperoxides), as marker of OS, andBAP (Biological Antioxidant Potential) as marker of the antioxidant powerwere detected on cord blood and at 48 h of life in both groups.

Results

At time zero both groups showed non-significant statistical differencesbetween BAP and TH. TH significantly increased from birth to 48 h in controlgroup (181.01±65.84 vs 275.34±92.71; U.Carr/L p=0.023), but not in luteingroup. In lutein group BAP significantly increased after 48 h (3397.66±209.96vs 3603.46±174.36; μmol/L p=0.028), showing a strengthening of antioxidantactivity due to lutein. At 48 h of life TH levels were lower (206.39±66.91 vs275.34±92.71 U.Carr/L) and BAP levels were higher (3603.46±174.36 vs3245.78±294.77 μmol/L) in lutein group than in control group (p=0.028).

Conclusions

Oral administration of lutein in term healthy newborns increased thelevels of BAP decreasing TH. The enhancement of antioxidant activity inplasma clearly results in protecting newborn from perinatal OS.

doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2008.09.261

Abstract UENPS.246Structural properties and antioxidant system activity of the newbornerythrocytes in oxidative stress of different intensities

Sergei Rezvan⁎a, Irina E. Popovaa, Irina N. Popovab, Valeri Artyukhova,Konstantin Panichevb, Yuri KryukovbaVoronezh State University, V, RussiabReginal Children's Hospital #1, Voronezh, Russia

Background and aim

Hypoxia is the leading cause of the newborn mortality and morbidity.Hypoxia generates oxidative stress which leads to erythrocytes remodeling.The objective of this study is the investigation of molecular mechanisms ofalteration of the structural properties of the erythrocytes of the newbornwho were exposed to hypoxia.

Materials and methods

The erythrocytes and blood plasma of 50 hypoxia exposed newborns. Thelatent structural alterations in erythrocytes were studied with the usage ofthe photometric technique by the assessment of their osmotic resistance in0.55% sodium chloride. The chemical modification of erythrocytes proteinswas estimated by the acid hemolysis method. The intensity of the free radicaloxidation processes was estimated by the spontaneous oxidative modifica-tion of the serum proteins using R.L. Levine et al. (1990) method. The level ofantioxidant defense was evaluated by the spectrophotometric measurementof Glucoso-6-phosphat dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) activity at wave length of340 n?.

Results

There was a detected decrease of the osmotic resistance (up to 50%) of theerythrocytes of the newborn exposed to hypoxia. It was due to theaccumulation of the latent structural damages in the erythrocytes membrane.

Abstracts S101