278 - Maternal and Cord β-Carotene Levels and Their Association With Newborn Hearing Screen Results

Poster Number: 278
Publication Number: 278.119

Olivia R. Paetz, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States; Alyssa Freeman, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States; Alexandra J. Hergenrader, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States; Sarah Sweeney, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States; Lauren E. Wegner, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States; Khadijjta Y. Ali, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States; Nicole Bender, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Papillion, NE, United States; Ridhi Chaudhary, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Monrovia, MD, United States; MATTHEW VANORMER, University of Nebraska at Omaha, OMAHA, NE, United States; Maranda Thompson, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 6019 Pine St, NE, United States; Rebecca Slotkowski, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Papillion, NE, United States; Melissa Thoene, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States; Corrine Hanson, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States; Ann L. Anderson Berry, University of Nebraska Medical Center, OMAHA, NE, United States

Background: Carotenoids such as β-carotene are antioxidant molecules found in yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables that provide important protective effects, particularly for fetal neurodevelopment. In addition to its antioxidant effects, β-carotene is one of the few carotenoids that can be endogenously converted to vitamin A, a nutrient essential for inner ear development. While previous study has identified a protective effect of certain carotenoids on hearing in adults, the impact of β-carotene on clinical hearing outcomes in neonates is not well understood.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between maternal β-carotene intake, maternal serum, and umbilical cord serum β-carotene levels and abnormal Newborn Hearing Screen (NHS) results.

Design/Methods: An IRB-approved study enrolled mother-infant pairs (n=541) at time of delivery for collection of maternal and cord serum. β-carotene serum levels were analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Maternal intake of β-carotene over the past year was quantified using the Harvard Willett Food Frequency Questionnaire. At discharge, NHS results were obtained from the Electronic Medical Record. Statistical analysis was done using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: The median gestational age at delivery was 39.1 weeks. Of the 541 participants, 8.5% of infants had abnormal NHS results. Higher median maternal β-carotene intake was observed in infants who failed their NHS compared to those who passed (5924 vs. 4722 mcg/day, p=0.019). Higher median maternal serum levels of both trans- (206 vs. 149 mcg/L, p=0.021) and cis-β-carotene (15.9 vs. 11.2 mcg/L, p=0.015) were observed in infants who failed their NHS compared to those who passed. Higher median cord serum trans β-carotene was observed in infants who failed their NHS compared to those who passed (15.5 vs. 8.0 mcg/L, p=0.04).Conclusion(s): The observed relationship between higher β-carotene levels and abnormal NHS was unexpected. While other studies suggest both deficient and excessive levels of vitamin A can impact inner ear development, the mothers in our study did not have exceptionally high levels of β-carotene. Additionally, β-carotene is believed to be a safe form of vitamin A as absorption slows with increasing vitamin A levels. One possible explanation is that higher maternal β-carotene levels may be indicative of impaired transfer of β-carotene to the fetus. Further study is warranted to better understand the complex relationship between β-carotene and NHS results.
Olivia Paetz CVpaetz-olivia-CV21.pdf