The Impact of Oxidative Stress on Pregnancy. The Neglected Role of Alcohol Misuse

Oxygen is essential for human life. However, it could cause damaging effects on biological systems causing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress defined as “an alteration in the pro-oxidant–antioxidant balance in favor of the former that leads to potential damage” is characterized by the release of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Oxidative stress is now recognized to play a central role in the pathophysiology of many different disorders, including complications of pregnancy such as placental pathology, PreEclampsia (PE), Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), gestational diabetes, and miscarriage. This narrative review aims to summarize pieces of evidence about the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of the main obstetric complications with particular interest in the neglected role of alcohol abuse.