Serum Zinc, Copper and Albumin in Paired Mothers and Their Term Newborn in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: This study assessed the serum zinc, copper and albumin levels in paired mother and newborns in the immediate neonatal period to establish the relationship between the pair, and the influence of maternal micronu-trient status on that of the newborn if any. Methods: The sociodemographic characteristics of the mothers were obtained using a structured questioner after informed consent was obtained from the parents of the baby. At delivery, paired mother and newborns had their serum zinc, copper and albumin assayed , using cord blood in the newborn. Result: One hundred and thirty five mothers and their paired term newborns completed the study. The mean age of the mothers was 29.2 ± 4.6 years with 67% within the age bracket 20 to 30 years. Seventy three percent of the mothers attained tertiary education and 22% had secondary education. The mean serum zinc was significantly higher in the newborn (3.67 ± 1.49 µmol/L) than in the mothers (2.20 ± 1.01 µmol/L), p = 0.0001, with a feto-maternal ratio of 1.6 to 1. Copper was significantly higher in the mothers (4.27 ± 1.77 µmol/L), than in the newborns (2.84 ± 0.92 µmol/L) (p = 0.001), with a maternal-fetal ratio of 1.5 to 1. Mean serum albumin was significantly lower in the newborns than in the mothers (p > 0.011). Conclusion: This study established that term newborns have higher serum zinc, a lower serum copper and albumin levels than their maternal levels. The distribution of these trace elements is probably protective in the newborns against infection.