Comparative study of serum iron and zinc levels in term and preterm babies delivered in RMMCH

Background: Malnutrition is an important factor that influences the course of pregnancy and fetal development. It is a serious international problem which leads to a deficiency of metals, trace elements, vitamins, and proteins. Much attention has been given to the effects associated with protein deficiency. Nowadays the effects due to the deficiency of trace elements have been given much importance. Trace elements are essential for life. Deficient intake- leads to impairment of some functions. The impairment may be corrected by intake of the element in physiological amount. With the deficiency of these elements, the organisms can neither grow nor complete its life cycle. Death of an organism results when there is an absolute deficiency. Aim: To compare serum iron and zinc level in term and preterm babies. Materials and methods: Sixty pregnant women who came from in and around Chidambaram who fulfilled the inclusion criteria during the period from July 2001 to March 2002 were included in this study. Among them, 50 delivered at term (37 to 42 weeks) and the rest delivered prematurely (< 37 weeks). Serum iron and zinc level were estimated by standardized technique. The results are analyzed accordingly. Results: The estimated mean iron value for the term babies was found to be 114.34 μg/dl with the standard deviation of 34 μg/dl. In case of preterm babies, the estimated mean value for iron was found to be 97.35 μg/dl with the standard deviation of 46 μg/dl. The mean zinc value of term babies was found to be 76.26 μg/dl with the standard deviation of 23 μg/dl. For preterm babies mean zinc value was found to be 56.53 μg/dl with the standard deviation of 29 μg /dl. Conclusion: Preterm birth deprives the fetus of a significant accumulation of iron in storage that occurs beyond 32nd week, total body iron deposits in tissues, Hb and zinc are low in premature babies. Iron deficiency affects perinatal growth, maturation, and function of multiple organ systems including the heart, skeletal muscle, gastrointestinal tract, and brain. Anemia of prematurity has been defined as low hematological constant levels of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), serum iron, number of erythrocytes, the reticulocytes.