A Prospective Survey of Serial Maternal Serum Zinc Levels and Pregnancy Outcome

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Abstract
Serum zinc levels were monitored serially in pregnant women. Compared with those of age-matched nonpregnant women, their serum zinc levels were significantly decreased in the first trimester (p < 0.005) and further decreased in the second trimester (p < 0.005) but then remained unchanged until delivery. Cord blood zinc levels and the ratio of cord blood to maternal serum zinc at delivery were significantly higher in preterm than term (.gtoreq. 37 weeks) infants (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). The maternal serum zinc level in the second trimester was not related to the birth weights of the infants. Mothers with serum zinc levels of <65 .mu.g/dl in the last trimester showed a higher incidence of birth weights of less than the 50th percentile (p < 0.005) and also of less than the 25th percentile (p < 0.005) on term delivery. The incidences of birth weights of less than the 10th percentile on term delivery were similar for mothers with serum zinc levels of .gtoreq. 76 .mu.g/dl. This observation suggested that a relatively lower birth weight may be associated with lower maternal serum zinc levels in the third trimester, but an additional factor (factors) is also involved in the outcome of low birth weight infants.