Associations of Maternal Serum Zonulin and Elements Concentrations with Neonatal Birth Weight: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Introduction: Intake of micronutrients and zonulin levels (as a marker for intestinal permeability) during pregnancy can be effective on birth weight of infants. However, no studies have investigated the relationship between the infants birth weight and maternal zonulin level. Aim: This study aimed to compare the zonulin levels and maternal trace elements in infants with low birth weight (LBW) and Normal Birth Weight (NBW) and its relationship with weight, length and head circumference of infants. Materials and Methods: In this study, 368 infants were divided into two groups: case (n=82) with birth weight of = 2500 gm. Maternal zonulin, zinc, calcium, copper and iron levels were evaluated. Weight, length and head circumference of infants were measured. The maternal serum level zonulin and micronutrients between the two groups were assessed using Student t-test or Chi-squared test and the relationship between variables using Spearman's rank correlation. Results: A significant difference was seen in the maternal zonulin and zinc serum levels between the LBW and the NBW infants (<0.001). No significant difference was observed in the calcium, copper, and iron levels between the two groups. A significant positive relationship was seen between maternal serum zonulin and zinc concentration with the birth weight of the LBW infants (respectively r=0.45 and r=0.41) (p<0.05). No relationship was seen between maternal serum zonulin and zinc concentration with the length and head circumference of the infants. Conclusion: The results showed that the maternal serum Zn level is associated with the infants birth weight. In addition, intestinal permeability, as a new factor could affect the birth weight and birth rate of the LBW infants. Further studies in this area are recommended.