Arterial cord blood lutein levels in preterm and term healthy newborns are sex and gestational age dependent.

Abstract Objective Lutein is an antioxidant carotenoid exerting a key role in eye health, but no reference curve in the perinatal period is available. Design and methods We conducted a prospective study on the distribution of lutein and its metabolite 3′-oxolutein in arterial cord blood of preterm (n = 40) and term (n = 76) newborns according to gestational age, sex and delivery modalities. Results Lutein and 3′-oxolutein concentrations peaked at the beginning of third trimester (P  Conclusions Since macula densa and retina are sites of lutein accumulation, the present findings open-up a new cue on the potential role of lutein in the prevention of the retinopathy of prematurity.