Copper, zinc and magnesium levels in small-for-gestational-age babies' cord blood and in the sera of their mothers

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare small-for-gestational-age (SGA) babies' and their mothers' serum copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and magnesium (Mg) levels, with babies' having normal birth weight (appropriate-for- gestational-age, AGA) and their mothers', as well as to investigate whether these values can be used as a diagnostic tool. STUDY DESIGN: The study group was consisted of 30 babies weghing below 10th percentile of expected gestational age. Cord blood from babies weighing below 10th percentile of expected gestational'age. Cord blood from babies and venous samples from mothers were obtained and Cu, Zn and Mg levels were detected with spectrophotometer. These values were compared with the values of 30 babies with normal birth weight and their mothers' values Ccontrol group). RESULTS: Significantly lower fetal copper levels and higher zinc and magnesium levels were observed in SGA babies as compared with the control group (P<0.01). Significantly higher zinc levels were measured in women giving birth to SGA babies as compared with women giving birth to AGA babies (p<0.01). The difference between maternal magnesium and copper levels were insignificant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: These parameters might be useful in diagnosis of SGA babies.