RESUMO
Serum Copper and Zinc levels of cord blood were studied at delivery in 156 healthy newborns. The relation of gestational age, birth weight, length, head circumference, mid-arm circumference and Apgar scores with these levels were assessed. Cord blood values for Copper and Zinc were 59.6 +/- 29.76 micro g/dl and 105.1 +/- 36.39 micro g/dl respectively for males and 60.22 +/- 25.99 micro g/dl and 97.61 +/- 40.66 micro g/dl respectively for females. A significant high level of Zinc in male newborns of mothers with a good obstetrical history in comparison with those of bad obstetrical history [109.0 +/- 30.03 vs 96.2 +/- 50.02, P < 0.05] was affected. Zinc cord blood positively correlated with birth weight [r =0.233, P < 0.05] in female but not male newborns. This study shows that fetal trace metals are altered with the fetal developmental variables and the implementation of these findings are discussed