Markers of oxidative stress before and after exchange transfusion for neonatal sepsis.

Oxidative status before and after ET was assessed in eight septic newborns who received exchange transfusion (ET). Short-term elevations of conjugated dienes (CDs) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs) (p < 0.05) and increased serum antioxidant capacity (AOC) (p = 0.06) were noted. Chromatographic migration of the red blood cells (CM RBCs), a measure of RBC deformability, also improved after ET. ET for neonatal sepsis does not cause significant oxidative stress; rather, it may help to restore the antioxidant depots and improve RBC deformability and microcirculation.