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Impact of Maternal Iron and Zinc Status on Foetal Cord Blood Levels: A Pilot Study
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Correspondence
Dr. Dina Abu Zeid,
National Research Centre (affiliation ID 60014618) 33 El Bohouth St. (former El Tahrir St.), Giza, Egypt. P.O.12622, Giza, Egypt.
E-mail: dinaabuzeid@yahoo.com
Introduction: Trace elements are essential for healthy life particularly in females, especially the pregnant women and their foetuses. Zinc and iron are described as the significant contributors for the proper functioning of human beings.
Aim: To assess the association between maternal and neonatal cord blood levels of zinc, iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) and how the maternal status could be a screening tool for neonatal iron deficiency anemia.
Materials and Methods: This cross sectional pilot study was carried out in the Labour ward in Cairo University Hospital. Healthy mothers and their neonates were selected (n=51 paired samples). Levels of serum zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and TIBC in maternal and cord blood samples were estimated. The collected data were coded, tabulated and statistically analysed using IBM SPSS statistics (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) software version 22.0, IBM Corp., Chicago, USA, 2013.
Results: There were significant positive correlation between maternal and neonatal zinc (r=0.322, p=0.021), significant positive correlation between maternal and neonatal iron (r=0.312, p=0.026) and significant negative correlation between birth order and neonatal iron (r=-0.511, p<0.001). Maternal serum zinc, iron and TIBC are accounted as key factors that increase neonatal serum zinc, iron and TIBC.
Conclusion: This study provides important insight into the impact of maternal zinc, iron and TIBC concentration on their neonatal levels. Therefore there is a specific need for proper, adequate and balanced micronutrients during pregnancy in order to have healthy neonates.