Fetal distress and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA): A meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose: To estimate the effect of malondialdehyde (MDA) level on fetal distress. Methods: Meta-analyses of randomized controlled interventions were performed by searching 8 electronic databases (CNKI, VIP, CBM, WANFANG,  Embase, PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science) from 1980 – to date for randomized controlled trials to determine any intrapartum fetal distress. A  metaanalysis within a frequentist framework was performed and the quality and inconsistency of the trials were assessed. Dual selection and data  abstraction were conducted. The methodological quality of the meta-analyses was assessed using AMSTAR, and the quality of evidence was assessed  using GRADE. Random-effect models were used to pool results from individual studies included in each meta-analysis. Results: A total of 1720 patients received MDA tests, and the results showed that MDA value of experimental group was 1.66 higher than that of control  group. Heterogeneity between the two groups was high, suggesting that the choice of blood source significantly affected the result of meta-analysis (p <  0.05). The group of blood samples collected from mothers was highly heterogeneous, and combined with the results of 16 groups, the effective amount  reached (2.08) was significant (z = 4.29, p < 0.05). This means that MDA increase in maternal blood during maternal-fetal distress. Secondly, cord blood samples were highly heterogeneous in the collection group, and the random effect was insignificant (z = 0.94, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Malondialdehyde level in maternal and cord blood reflects the relationship between fetal distress and adverse outcomes. Further research is  needed to confirm the extent to which they are related.