Evaluation of oxidative stress level: total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase activity in children with pneumonia compared to healthy children

Viral pneumonia is a leading cause of death in young children worldwide. Oxidant/antioxidant imbalance has been reported in various infectious diseases. This study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress and antioxidant defense markers — specifically malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) — in children hospitalized with pneumonia compared to healthy controls. This case-control study included 53 children aged 2 to 10 years: 27 children with pneumonia and 26 healthy controls. Plasma MDA, SOD, and TAC levels were measured using ELISA kits (Kiazist Company, Iran). Blood samples were collected at the time of hospitalization. A researcher-designed checklist recorded demographic information (age, sex, weight, and BMI). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 14 software. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. MDA and SOD levels in the pneumonia group (2.49 ± 0.52 µmol/L and 3.47 ± 0.69 U/mL, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the control group (1.63 ± 0.34 µmol/L and 1.33 ± 0.20 U/mL, respectively) ( p < 0.001). Conversely, TAC levels in the pneumonia group (0.88 ± 0.18 mmol/L) were significantly lower than those in the control group (1.69 ± 0.21 mmol/L) ( p < 0.001). Pneumonia in children is associated with increased oxidative stress and decreased systemic antioxidant capacity. These findings suggest that redox imbalance may play a role in the pathophysiology of the disease; however, causal relationships and therapeutic implications remain to be confirmed, as interventional and longitudinal studies are lacking. Antioxidant modulation may warrant further investigation as an adjunctive therapy.