SERUM LEVEL DETERMINATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS, SUCH AS IRON AND ZINC, IN PREGNANT WOMEN AND UMBILICAL CORD OF NEONATES

Minerals and trace elements, such as zinc, copper, iron and other micronutrients, have significant influence on the health of pregnant women and the growing fetus. During pregnancy, iron needs are usually very high to meet the requirements for the fetus, placenta and maternal red cell expansion. Such demands cannot be met by diet alone, so that iron supplements are commonly recommended during pregnancy. A total of 50 pregnant women, aged 16-38 years, were investigated for analysis of serum levels of trace elements. Hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations were determined using a hematology cell counter, whereas maternal and cord blood serum levels of zinc and iron, were determined by colorimetry. During third trimester, the mean serum levels of zinc and iron were significantly lower in anemic pregnant women (group I: Hb?11.0 g/dL, n=33) than the levels in non-anemic pregnant women (group II: Hb?11.0 g/dL, n =17). No significant difference was observed between serum iron levels among the three trimesters; however, cord blood iron levels were higher than the levels in the maternal blood. Of the 33 anemic pregnant women observed, only 10 (30.3%) had Hb levels between 9.0 and 10.0 g/dL, 7 (21.2%) had Hb value less than 9.0 g/dL, and 2 (6%) had Hb values below 7.0 g/dL. The mild anemia observed in some of the pregnant women included in this study, had no significant effect on maternal or cord blood parameters or neonatal birth weight.