Changes of plasma coenzyme Q₁₀ levels in early infancy

Rapid perfusion of oxygen in infants at birth may increase oxidative stress which has been incriminated in serious diseases including neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, chronic lung disease, and retinopathy of prematurity. Elucidating the antioxidant defense systems of neonates in clinical practice is important. Coenzyme Q₁₀ is a widely distributed, redox-active quinoid compound originally discovered as an essential part of the mitochondrial respiratory chain in mammals. Although coenzyme Q₁₀ is a powerful lipid antioxidant in vivo, few data pertain to plasma CoQ₁₀ levels in infants. This is the first paper to report plasma coenzyme Q₁₀ levels in preterm infants.