Abstract
BackgroundLow birth weight (LBW) is a worldwide health problem, especially in developing countries. We conducted a case–control study at Medani Hospital, Sudan. Cases were women who delivered a LBW (<2500 g) newborn and consecutive women who delivered a normal weight (>2500 g) newborn were controls. Questionnaires were used to collect clinical data. Zinc and copper levels were measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer.FindingsThe two groups (50 in each arm) were well matched in their basic characteristics. Median (25–75th interquartile range) maternal zinc (62.9 [36.3–96.8] vs. 96.2 [84.6–125.7] μg/dl; P <0.001) and copper (81.6 [23.7–167.5] vs. 139.8 [31.9–186.2] μg/dl; P = 0.04) levels were significantly lower in cases than in controls. Cord copper levels in cases were significantly lower than those in controls (108 [55.1–157.9] vs. 147.5 [84.5–185.2] μg/dl; P = 0.02). There were significant direct correlations between birth weight and maternal copper levels and maternal and cord zinc levels.ConclusionsMaternal zinc and copper levels, as well as cord copper levels, are lower in LBW newborns than in those with normal weight.
Highlights
Low birth weight (LBW) is a worldwide health problem, especially in developing countries
Maternal serum zinc (62.9 [36.3–96.8] vs. 96.2 [84.6–125.7] μg/dl P < 0.001) and copper (81.6 [23.7–167.5] vs. 139.8 [31.9–186.2] μg/dl; P = 0.04) levels were significantly lower in cases with LBW deliveries than in controls
Cord copper levels were significantly lower in cases with LBW deliveries than in controls (108 [55.1–157.9] vs. 147.5 [84.5– 185.2] μg/dl; P = 0.02)
Summary
Maternal zinc and copper levels, as well as cord copper levels, are lower in LBW newborns than in those with normal weight. Low levels of zinc and copper are independently associated with a risk of LBW neonates [13,14,15]. There are few published data on maternal and cord levels of zinc, copper, and LBW deliveries, with contradictory results [14,15,20,21,22] these elements need to be investigated in LBW neonates to provide health planners and care-providers with fundamental data necessary for appropriate intervention. The current study was conducted at Medani Hospital to investigate maternal and cord blood levels of zinc and copper in LBW newborns
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