Copper, zinc, manganese, vanadium, and iodine concentrations in the hair of Canadian low birth weight neonates

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Abstract
The copper, zinc, manganese, vanadium, and iodine concentrations in washed hair samples of some low birth weight Canadian neonates were determined by neutron activation analysis. Hair samples were collected from 37 preterm (26 to 36 weeks gestation), 24 full term low birth weight (FTLBW) and 38 sex-matched controls. The concentrations of copper, zinc, manganese, and vanadium in the hair did not differ significantly in the FTLBW and control groups showing the hair concentrations of these metals at birth are independent of birth weight. The concentrations of zinc and manganese in the hair of the preterm neonates were not significantly different from levels observed in the combined FTLBW and the control group. However, a significant negative correlation of hair zinc with gestational age both within the preterm and within the three groups as a whole exists and is perhaps associated with a reported fall in the foetal serum zinc level towards term. In contrast, hair vanadium concentrations in the preterm group were found to be significantly lower than those of both the FTLBW and control groups. The median hair iodine concentration of all the low birth weight infants was significantly higher (115 ppm) than that of the control group (14.5 ppm). No correlations of the copper, zinc, manganese, and vanadium hair concentrations with the variables sex, parity, and socioeconomic status of the mother were found. However, there were highly positive correlations for zinc with manganese, and copper with manganese, in both the preterm group and within the three groups as a whole.

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