Relationships between maternal copper and iron serum levels with pregnancy outcomes and relationship between their maternal and cord levels

This study aimed to assess the relationships between iron and copper levels in maternal and cord serums together and with pregnancy outcomes. An Analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 370 pregnant women in labor and their neonates in Maryam, Akbarabadi and Imam hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Copper concentrations were measured using the standard atomic absorption spectrophotometer method and Iron concentrations were measured by a kit through RA 1000 method. Data were collected using a questionnaire and were analyzed using Spearman correlation, Chi-square and Logistic regression tests. The mean copper concentrations in the maternal and cord bloods at delivery were 114.52 +/- 37.4, 22.4 +/- 11.6 [microg/dl], respectively. The Iron levels were 119.2 +/- 64, 164.3 +/- 65.3 [microg/dl], respectively. Of all the mothers, 54.3% had copper deficiency, 1.1% Iron deficiency and of all the newborns, 44.7% had copper deficiency and 3.5% Iron deficiency. The Spearman Correlation analysis showed significant positive correlations between concentrations of each element in maternal serum with cord serum and also between maternal iron with maternal copper, and maternal iron with cord copper. The Chi-square analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between maternal copper deficiency and gestational hypertension [P<0.001]. There were no significant relationships between these trace element levels at delivery with premature rupture of membranes and preterm labor. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant negative relationship between maternal copper levels and gestational hypertension [odds: 0.98, 95%CI: 0.97-0.99]. Maternal copper deficiency was rather high in the participants of the study [54.3%], and was related to incidence of gestational hypertension. These findings illustrated importance of trace elements during pregnancy. Providing suitable dietary recommendations and giving supplements during pregnancy can help to decrease maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity

[Maternal and umbilical cord blood serum levels of zinc, copper, magnesium, iron and calcium and their relationships with low birth weight]

Considering the various evidences due to effects of trace elements on the outcome of pregnancy, we decided to assess the effect of these elements levels in maternal and cord serum on low birth weight. An Analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 344 pregnant women in labour and their neonates in Maryam, Akbarabadi and Vali-e-Asr hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Iron, zinc, copper, magnesium and calcium concentrations in cord and mother serum were measured. Collected data were analyzed by spss13 software, using Chi-square and Logistic regression tests with significant level p<0/05.The characteristics of studied subjects were: Mean age: 27.02 +/- 5.3 years, pregnancy duration: 38.9 +/- 1.3 weeks, number of low birth weight neonates: 13 [3.8%]. Prevalence of trace elements deficiencies in mothers were: zinc: 26.7%, copper: 53.5%, magnesium: 72.4%, Iron:. 6%, calcium: 49.4%, and in neonates were: zinc: 3.5%, copper: 41.6%, magnesium: 67.4%, Iron: 3.2% and calcium: 2.3%. In Chi-square test, a significant negative relationship between maternal calcium deficiency and low birth weight [p=.011] was found and logistic regression analysis showed a significant negative relationship between maternal calcium serum and low birth weight [odd: 0.27,%95CI: 0.09-0.77]. Delivering low birth weight neonates were more common in mothers with calcium deficiency and other elements did not show any significant relationships with low birth weight. It is possible to find different results about the effect of these minerals on pregnancy outcome with more samples and in different settings. It is recommended to perform more research on effects of trace elements on neonatal and maternal pregnancy outcomes to help prevent mother and fetus mortality and morbidity