Preterm Delivery: Role of Zinc

Background: Preterm delivery is a very challenging obstetric complication in Bangladesh. Reducedserum zinc (Zn) concentration of the pregnant mother may have some role in causing preterm delivery.Objectives: To measure serum zinc level in preterm delivery mother and their respective neonates toobserve their status. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department ofPhysiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, during the period of 1st Januaryto 31st December 2009. A total 136 subjects were included in this study, of whom 27 were full termdelivery mother with their respective neonates (group B), treated as control group and another 27were preterm delivery mothers with their respective neonates (group C), treated as study group. Ageranged of preterm and full term mother were from 20-40 years. Again, 28 non pregnant women with agerange from 20-30 years were taken as reference value (groupa A). Statistical analysis was done byusing appropriate method as applicable. Results: Mean serum zinc level was significantly (p<0.001)lower in preterm mother in comparison to that of full term mother and also in preterm neonates thanthat of full term neonates. Serum total protein and albumin were significantly (p<0.001) lower inpreterm mother than those of full term mother and also in preterm neonates than those of theirrespective mothers and full term neonates. Again, maternal serum zinc level showed positive correlationwith birth weight of neonates and also with zinc concentration of neonatal blood. Conclusions: Thepresent study revealed a lower level of serum zinc in pre-term delivery mother and their neonates.These hypozincemia may be responsible for low birth weight of the fetus.Key Words: Zinc; pretermDOI: 10.3329/jbsp.v5i1.5415J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2010 June; 5(1): 27-33