Objective: Trace element deficiencies have been documented to play an important role in determination of the fetal outcome. It has been reported that the pregnant women in developing countries consume diets with a lower density of minerals and vitamins. Zinc and copper are essential trace elements and their deficiency can lead to a variety disorders. We evaluated whether is any association between infant birth weight and maternal serum zinc and copper levels.
Methods: This case-control study was carried out at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the Alavi Hospital in Ardabil between August 2008- August 2009. Fifty six women who had delivered low- birth- weight infants (<2500gr) were taken as the case group , and from the mothers who had delivered normal birth weight (≥2500gr) infants 56 were selected at random as the control group.
Venous blood sampl were obtaind from the mothers. Serum zinc and copper levels were determined by the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer method.
Finding: Mean of birth weight in infants, maternal age, body mass index in mothers and socioeconomic or demographic factors did not differ between cases and control groups .Maternal zinc concentration (μg/dl) did not differ between Cases and Controls; 55.84 ± 14.40 μg/dl vs.52.16 ± 8.84 μg/dl respectively. The mean serum copper level of case group was (231/75 ± 38/12 μg/dl) significantly higher (p<0/05) than control group (204/42 ± 31/30 μg/dl). There was a negative correlation between maternal serum copper level and birth weight.
Conclusion: Maternal zinc concentration has no effect on neonatal birth weight infants. There was a negative correlation between birth weight and maternal copper concentration. Maternal serum zinc and copper concentration declined as gestation progressed
Key word: birth weight; gestational age; copper; zin
