Evaluation of Serum Zinc Level in Neonatal Umbilical Cord and Its Relationship With Neonatal Outcomes

Background and Aim: Maternal mineral levels play a critical role in the growth of the fetus during pregnancy. Zinc is an essential nutrient whose deficiency may be associated with poor infant development. This study evaluated the relationship of serum zinc concentration of the umbilical cord blood with the infant’s different parameters in the preterm and term infants. Materials and Methods: Six hundred pregnant women and their neonates were divided into two groups according to gestational age in term (>۳۵ wk) and preterm (<۳۵ wk). Umbilical cord blood samples were collected, and the zinc levels were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy with flame atomization. The zinc levels were compared between groups, and the effect of zinc levels on different neonatal and maternal were evaluated. Results: Our data indicated that zinc levels have significant adverse correlations with birth weight and Apgar score in neonates regardless of gestational age (P<۰.۰۵). In late preterm and term infants whose mothers have diabetes, zinc levels of the umbilical cord were low compared with normal mothers (P<۰.۰۵). Also, zinc levels had significant adverse relationships with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and asphyxia in preterm neonates (P<۰.۰۵). In both groups, lower zinc levels were reported in the mothers who had received corticosteroids (P<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: The study demonstrates a significant relationship between umbilical cord zinc levels and neonatal outcomes, particularly in preterm infants. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously due to potential confounding factors such as maternal health conditions, socioeconomic influences, and measurement limitations.

کلیدواژه ها:

Zinc ، Umbilical cord ، Infant ، Newborn