Plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentrations in pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentrations were measured in 28 Chinese preeclamptic women and 28 controls matched for parity, race and gestation. There were no differences in either the plasma or erythrocyte zinc concentrations between the pre-eclamptic and control groups, although the mean birth weight (p < 0.001) and period of gestation (p < 0.001) at delivery in the control group were significantly higher. In the pre-eclamptic patients, those delivering before 37 weeks or those who gave birth to low birth weight ( < 2500 g), babies had a significantly higher plasma urate concentration (p < 0.02) compared to the pre-eclamptic patients with better fetal outcome. However, the plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentrations between these subgroups were not significantly different. Our results suggest that zinc deficiency is unlikely to play a significant role in pre-eclampsia in our patients, and that measurement of plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentrations is of doubtful clinical value in the management of pre-eclampsia.