Study of the association between serum zinc concentration in pregnant women and preterm birth

Background and aims: Preterm birth can cause high morbidity and mortality in women. Previous evidence has confirmed the associationbetween zinc (Zn) deficiency in x women and some pregnancy complications. This study investigated the association between serum Znconcentration in pregnant women and preterm birth.Methods: This case-control study focused on evaluating ۷۶ pregnant women with preterm birth (case group) and ۶۲ pregnant women withterm birth (control group) and was conducted in the obstetrics ward of Hajar hospital, Shahrekord, Iran in ۲۰۱۴. The Zn level was measuredby spectrophotometry and data were analyzed by SPSS, version ۱۵.Results: The prevalence of Zn deficiency was ۹۵.۶%. The mean of serum Zn concentration was ۳۹.۶۲±۱۱.۸۳ and ۵۹.۸۱±۸.۸ in the pretermand term delivery groups, respectively (P < ۰.۰۰۱). Similarly, the mean of serum Zn concentrations was ۴۳.۰۶±۱۵.۶ and ۵۰.۴۶±۱۳.۸ inwomen with and without the rupture of pregnancy membranes, respectively (P = ۰.۰۱). Based on the findings, the serum Zn concentrationwas not significantly associated with parity (P = ۰.۶۳۴).Conclusion: Although a decrease in the serum Zn concentration could lead to premature rupture of membranes during pregnancy andpreterm birth, it could not be considered as the main factor for preterm birth. In addition, Zn deficiency was highly prevalent in pregnantwomen. Therefore, nutritional interventions should be performed to prevent complications due to the deficiency of micronutrients such asZn so that to increase health maintenance in mothers and children.

Keywords:

Serum , Zinc , Pregnant women , Preterm birth