Maternal plasma and amniotic fluid coenzyme Q10 levels in preterm and term gestations: A pilot study

Objective: To measure maternal plasma and amniotic fluid coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels in preterm and term gestations. Study design: This pilot study comprised a convenience sample of 72 women admitted for labor with singleton live gestations and intact membranes (preterm n = 27 and term n = 45). Results: Median [interquartile range] maternal plasma CoQ10 levels did not differ among the studied women (preterm, 0.47 [0.12] vs. term, 0.47 [0.23] mmol/L, p = 0.90). Overall CoQ10 amniotic fluid levels were nearly tenfold lower than those found in maternal plasma, with a significant lower level observed among those delivering preterm (0.050 [0.05] vs. 0.062 [0.04] mmol/L, p = 0.007). Multiple linear regression analysis controlling for several covariates determined a significant correlation between amniotic fluid CoQ10 levels and neonatal gestational age. Conclusion: This is the first study to assess CoQ10 levels in amniotic fluid during pregnancy in which levels were significantly lower among those delivering preterm. More research is warranted in this regard.