Serum cholesterol concentrations in newborn infants with gestational ages of 28-42 weeks

Serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and VLDL-LDL-cholesterol were determined in 53 newborn infants with gestational ages of 28-42 weeks. In pre-term infants (gestational age less than 37 weeks) the total cholesterol concentration in cord blood was higher than in term infants. Mean values were 2.4 and 1.7 mmol/l, respectively. The HDL-cholesterol/VLDL-LDL-cholesterol ratio was 1.8 in pre-term and term infants. In 11 pre-term and 17 term infants a second determination was made 3-4 days after birth. Total cholesterol had increased more in term than in pre-term infants and the difference found at birth and already levelled out. Mean value was 3.0 mmol/l in pre-term and term infants. The HDL-cholesterol/VLDL-LDL-cholesterol ratio had changed to 0.6 in pre-term and term infants. Six-pre-term infants who received intravenous fluids only were also studied. Their values did not differ from those in pre-term infants fed orally. Free and esterified cholesterol were determined in 26 infants of varying gestational ages. About one-third of the total cholesterol was in the free form in pre-term and term infants at birth and during the first days of life.     

SERUM CONCENTRATIONS OF THYROXINE-BINDING GLOBULIN, PREALBUMIN AND ALBUMIN IN HEALTHY FULLTERM, SMALL-FOR-GESTATIONAL AGE AND PRETERM NEWBORN INFANTS

Abstract. Jacobsen, B. B., Peitersen, B., Andersen, H. J. and Hummer, L. (The University Clinic of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital Fuglebakken and the Departments of Nuclear Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark). Serum concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin, prealbumin and albumin in healthy fullterm, small-for-gestational age and preterm newborn infants. Acta Paediatr Scand, 68: 49, 1979.—Simultaneous serum concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), prealbumin (TBPA) and albumin (Alb) were measured in 130 fullterm, 32 small-for-gestational age and 25 preterm infants during their first six days of life. In all infants serum concentrations of TBG were higher and serum TBPA and Alb were lower than in male adults. Even higher serum TBG levels wer found in the mothers. There was no correlation between serum concentrations in paired maternal and cord sera. In infants with birth weights appropriate for gestation serum TBG, TBPA, and Alb concentrations increased progressively with gestational age. In small-for-gestational age infants born at term serum concentrations of TBG and Alb were lower than those in full-term, but higher than those in premature newborns. Serum TBPA in small-for-gestational age babies was evne lower than seen in prematures. A positive correlation was found between thyroid hormones and TBG concentrations, not between serum TBPA and thyroid hormones. The ratios between serum concentration of thyroid hormones and proteins might indicate that more thyroid hormonebinding sites are occupied in fullterm than in low birth-weight newborns. However, the main reason for the different serum levels of thyroid hormones in fullterm, small-for-gestational age and preterm babies is probably the various serum TBG concentrations demonstrated in these infants.     

LIPIDS IN CORD SERUM AND FREE FATTY ACIDS IN PLASMA IN HEALTHY NEWBORN TERM INFANTS

ABSTRACT. Christensen, N. Chr. (Department of Obstetrics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark). Lipids in cord serum and free fatty acids in plasma in healthy newborn term infants. Acta Paediatr Scand, 63: 711, 1974.—Serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and glycerol in cord serum and plasma FFA in cord blood and at 1 1/2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after birth were determined in 18 healthy term infants. Concentrations of lipids in cord blood were low; and there were no correlation between cord lipids and subsequent FFA values. A rapid increase in FFA level, with peak values at 12 hours, was seen. Significant, negative correlations were found between FFA concentration and rectal temperature at 1 1/2 hour and between total caloric intake and FFA concentration at 48 hours.     

A study of serum zinc levels in cord blood of neonates and their mothers

Serum zinc was estimated in the cord blood of 60 neonates of different gestational age and birth weight, and their mothers. Mean serum zinc levels in neonates FTGA, PTAGA and term SGA were 128.88±14.37, 94.32±17.79 and 111.8±9.2 ug/dl respectively. The maternal serum zinc levels in corresponding groups was 96.28±19.48, 115.44±15.41 and 93.8±7.62 ug/dl. Thus mean serum zinc level in cord blood of FT AGA newborns was significantly higher than that in PT AGA and FT SGA. Mean serum zinc level in mothers of FT AGA was significantly lower than that in mothers of PT AGA. However, there was no significant difference between the maternal serum zinc levels of FT AGA and FT SGAs. There was positive correlation between gestational age and serum zinc level in cord blood of AGAs while correlation was negative in case of their mothers. There was positive correlation between weight (keeping gestational age constant) and serum zinc level in case of neonates while corresponding maternal zinc levels did not vary. (FT AGA and FT SGA).     

Neonatal hypoglycaemia in infants of diabetic mothers

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether umbilical cord blood glucose correlates with subsequent hypoglycaemia after birth in infants of well-controlled diabetic mothers. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-eight term infants of well-controlled diabetic mothers were enrolled. Five mothers had pre-existing diabetes. Of the 33 gestational diabetic mothers, 16 were managed on insulin and 17 on diet. Maternal blood glucose was maintained between 4 and 8 mmol/L during labour and delivery. Infants' plasma glucose levels were measured from venous cord blood and serially, at less than 30 min, 1 h and 2 h of life by glucose hexokinase method. Blood glucose levels were further monitored by bedside Dextrostix for 24 h. RESULTS: Eighteen (47%) infants developed hypoglycaemia (blood glucose level less than 2 mmol/L) during the first 2 h of life. There was no difference in the cord blood glucose levels between infants with or without hypoglycaemia (3.7 +/- 1.1 vs 4.5 +/- 1.1 mmol/L, respectively). Infants of mothers with diabetes diagnosed prior to 28 weeks gestation were at a higher risk of developing hypoglycaemia (8 of 10 vs 10 of 28, OR 7.2, 95%CI 1.3-40.7). Hypoglycaemic infants were of significantly higher birthweight, and were more likely to be born to Caucasian mothers and by Caesarean section. Raised maternal fructosamine blood level, the need for insulin treatment or the infant's haematocrit were not different between infants with or without hypoglycaemia. CONCLUSIONS: In well-controlled diabetic mothers, the incidence of early hypoglycaemia in infants is still high, particularly in those mothers who had a longer duration of diabetes. Cord blood glucose level did not identify the infants with hypoglycaemia.     

SERUM CHOLESTEROL CONCENTRATIONS IN EARLY INFANCY

Abstract. Ginsburg, B.-E. and Zetterstrom, R. (Department of Paediatrics, Karolinska Institute, St. Goran's Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden). Serum cholesterol concentrations in early infancy. Acta Paediatr Scand, 69: 581, 1980.—Sixteen healthy term infants were followed from birth to the age of 3–6 months. Total cholesterol, VLDL-LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were determined in cord serum, in serum obtained 3–10 days after birth (mean age 4.6 days) and at the age of 3–6 months (mean 4.1 months). Mean total cholesterol increased by 1.5 mmol/l during the first 3–10 days and by an additional 1.1 mmol/l during the following 3–6 months. Mean VLDL-LDL-cholesterol increased by 1.0 mmol/l and 0.9 mmol/l, respectively, and mean HDL-cholesterol by 0.4 mmol/l and 0.3 mmol/l, respectively, during the same periods. The HDL-cholesterol: VLDL-LDL-cholesterol ratio thus fell from 1.5 at birth to 0.8 at the age of 3–10 days and to 0.6 at 3–6 months. In eight breast-fed infants, the mean total cholesterol level increased by 2.9 mmol/l from birth to the age of 3–6 months. This increase was significantly higher than the increase found in eight infants who received a cow's milk formula—i.e. 2.3 mmol/l. Free and esterified cholesterol were determined in 10 infants. Free cholesterol accounted for about one-third of the total cholesterol from birth to the age of 3–6 months.     

Influence of folic acid on birthweight and growth of the erythroblastotic infant. I. Birthweight.

The birthweights of 100 infants with erythroblastosis were carefully matched as to sex, gestational age, and parity with the birthweights of 200 control infants born during the same period. At all gestational ages the average birthweight of the affected infants was below that of the controls, the average reduction being 227 g. The more severely affected infants tended to be at a lower centile for birthweight than were the mildly affected ones. The relationships between maternal serum folate, cord blood serum folate, and centile for birthweight among affected infants were also studied. There was a strong correlation between low maternal serum folate and the incidence of small-for-dates babies among the affected infants. There was also a strong correlation between maternal and cord blood serum folate values. There was a lack of correlation between maternal serum folate and cord blood haemoglobin. It is concluded that infants with erythroblastosis are lighter than controls and that the reason for this may be a shortage of folic acid available for fetal growth.     

CHANGES IN SERUM ZINC CONCENTRATIONS OF SOME CANADIAN FULL TERM AND LOW BIRTHWEIGHT INFANTS FROM BIRTH TO SIX MONTHS

ABSTRACT. Gibson, R. S. and DeWolfe, M. S. (Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada). Changes in serum zinc concentrations in some Canadian full term and low birthweight infants from birth to six months. Acta Paediatr Scand, 70:497,.–Serum samples were collected from 99 infants at birth, and when they were 1, 3 and 6 months old. Thirty-seven were preterm infants with a mean birthweight of 1880 g and 26–36 wk gestation; 24 were full term low birthweight with a mean birthweight of 2371 g and 38–42 wk gestation; and 38 were full term normal birthweight infants with a mean birthweight of 3 590 g and 38–42 wk gestation. Serum zinc concentrations were determined by instrumental neutron activation procedures. No significant differences in serum zinc levels were apparent between sexes or among the 3 groups. Levels were highest at birth and declined during the first 3 months. Between 3 and 6 months, serum zinc levels remained fairly constant, and were lower than reported levels for North American adults. It is concluded that the decline in serum zinc concentration in all three groups was not significantly correlated with birthweight or gestational age and the low birthweight infants in this study did not show any evidence of zinc deficiency. The general decline in serum zinc levels appeared to be associated with low dietary zinc intakes.     

早产儿和足月儿脐血及母亲静脉血硒含量的比较

目的：硒是一种人体必需的微量元素,在细胞抗氧化防御系统中发挥着主要的作用。在早期早产儿中,低水平的硒会增加诸如慢性新生儿肺疾病、早产儿视网膜病等并发症的发生。该研究旨在检测并比较早产儿和足月儿脐血及母亲静脉血硒含量。方法：选取2008年3~7月间30个足月儿（胎龄>37 周）和30个早产儿（胎龄< 34 周）及他们的母亲作为研究对象。用原子吸收光谱法测定脐血和母亲静脉血的硒含量。结果：足月儿的脐血硒平均含量高于早产儿,差异有非常显著性(124.80± 13.72 μg/L vs 100.30 ± 11.72 μg/L, P=0.0001) 。 足月儿母亲与早产儿母亲的的平均硒含量差异无显著性 (117.03±17.15 μg/L vs 110.56±17.49 μg/L, P=0.15)。将所有婴儿的资料一起分析时,发现脐血硒含量与胎龄和出生体重显著正相关(r=0.66, P<0.0001;r=0.59, P<0.0001)。60例婴儿母亲中,无一例的血硒含量低于正常参考值的下限（70.0 μg/L）。将所有婴儿及其母亲的资料一起分析时,发现母亲血硒含量与其婴儿脐血硒含量呈显著正相关 (r=0.40, P<0.001)。结论：在伊斯法罕地区,孕母的血硒水平处于一个良好的状态,血硒水平不是早产的预测指标。足月儿的脐血硒含量高于早产儿,但足月儿和早产儿的脐血硒含量均在正常参考范围。［中国当代儿科杂志,2009,11（7）：513-516］     

BLOOD PESTICIDE CONCENTRATION IN MOTHERS AND THEIR NEWBORN INFANTS: Relation to Prematurity

Abstract. Procianoy, R. S. and Schvartsman, S. (Departments of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, and Universidade de Säo Paulo, Säo Paulo, Brazil). Blood pesticide concentration in mothers and their newborn infants. Relation to prematurity. Acta Paediatr Scand, 70: 925, 1981.-An association between high DDT cord blood levels and prematurity was investigated. Pregnant women with good health and nutritional condition, negative history of past occupational exposure to DDT and absence of recent exposure to DDT were investigated as well as their appropriate for gestational age neonates. A total of 54 maternal-infant pairs were studied and divided in two groups: A-term deliveries (30 pairs), B-preterm deliveries (24 pairs). There was no difference in DDT blood levels between pregnant women of both groups. There was, however, a significant difference in DDT cord blood levels between term and preterm infants, as well as between maternal and neonatal blood levels in both groups. DDT cord blood levels correlated negatively with infants' birth weights. We suggest that there is an association between prematurity and high DDT cord blood levels in a non-occupationally exposed population and the amount of fetal adipose tissue is an important factor determining the cord blood level of this pesticide. We cannot rule out a cause-effect association between high DDT cord blood level and prematurity.     

SERUM CHOLESTEROL CONCENTRATIONS IN NEWBORN INFANTS WITH GESTATIONAL AGES OF 28–42 WEEKS

Abstract. Ginsburg, B.-E. and Zetterström, R. (Department of Paediatrics, Karolinska Institute, St. Göran's Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden). Serum cholesterol concentrations in newborn infants with gestational ages of 28–42 weeks. Acta Paediatr Scand, 69: 587, 1980.—Serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and VLDL-LDL-cholesterol were determined in 53 newborn infants with gestational ages of 28–42 weeks. In pre-term infants (gestational age < 37 weeks) the total cholesterol concentration in cord blood was higher than in term infants. Mean values were 2.4 and 1.7 mmol/l, respectively. The HDL-cholesterol/ VLDL-LDL-cholesterol ratio was 1.8 in pre-term and term infants. In 11 pre-term and 17 term infants a second determination was made 3–4 days after birth. Total cholesterol had increased more in term than in pre-term infants and the difference found at birth had already levelled out. Mean value was 3.0 mmol/I in pre-term and term infants. The HDL-cholesterol/ VLDL-LDL-cholesterol ratio had changed to 0.6 in pre-term and term infants. Six pre-term infants who received intravenous fluids only were also studied. Their values did not differ from those in pre-term infants fed orally. Free and esteritied cholesterol were determined in 26 infants of varying gestational ages. About one-third of the total cholesterol was in the free form in pre-term and term infants at birth and during the first days of life.     

Aldosterone cord levels in preterm newborn infants

We measured umbilical cord aldosterone concentrations in 64 premature newborn infants. The median serum aldosterone level was 74.5 ngdl^-1 (range 22-280 ng dl^-1). Of the studied perinatal factors, only gestational age and birthweight presented a significant influence on the umbilical cord aldosterone levels. Newborn infants with a gestational age of over 34 weeks and a birthweight of over 2000 g had a significantly higher aldosterone cord level than those aged 34 weeks or younger and 2000 g or less in weight.     

Blood glucose levels in a population of healthy, breast fed, term infants of appropriate size for gestational age

AIM: To determine blood glucose levels in a population of healthy, breast fed, term infants of appropriate size for gestational age. METHODS: In a cross sectional study, the blood glucose concentration of 223 healthy, breast fed, term infants of appropriate size for gestational age was determined at different times (between one and 96 hours) after delivery. One sample of blood glucose was taken from each infant independent of the feeding time. The glucose concentration was correlated with sex, method of delivery, delivery with or without analgesia, smoking status of the mother, gestational age, umbilical cord pH, and Apgar score. Infants suspected of suffering from intrapartum hypoxia were excluded. RESULTS: Blood glucose concentration one hour after delivery was not significantly lower than at any other time. Only two infants had low blood glucose concentrations one hour after delivery (1.4 and 1.9 mmol/l). There were no significant differences in blood glucose concentration between sexes, methods of delivery, infants delivered with or without analgesia, and infants born to smokers or non-smokers, and there was no further correlation between blood glucose concentration and gestational age, umbilical cord pH, or Apgar score. DISCUSSION: Very few healthy, breast fed, term infants of appropriate size for gestational age have low blood glucose levels, and there is no indication for blood glucose monitoring in these infants.     

Retinol concentration in maternal and cord serum: its relation to birth weight in healthy mother-infant pairs

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient for the development and growth of the fetus. The objective of this study was to identify a possible association between low serum retinol and birth weight in healthy mother-infant pairs in Southern Israel. A secondary objective was to examine ethnic differences in maternal and cord serum retinol. METHODS: Serum retinol was measured at delivery from pairs of healthy mothers and healthy mature newborns. RESULTS: Of the 313 mother-infant pairs studied, 56% were Jews and 44% Bedouins. The proportion of infants with birth weight of 2500-2999 g was greater among mothers with lower serum retinol (<0.7 micromol/l) compared to mothers with normal serum retinol (> or =0.7 micromol/l) (p<0.001). Cord retinol <0.7 micromol/l was more frequent in infants with birth weight 2500-2990 g compared to infants with birth weight > or =3000 g (p=0.006). Using a split model and stepwise multiple regression analysis, infant's birth weight was significantly influenced by cord retinol concentration in infants born to mothers with low serum retinol; gestational age and cord retinol alone explained 27% of the variability of birth weight in this group. A higher proportion of Bedouin than Jewish infants had serum retinol <0.7 and <0.35 micromol/l (both p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Low cord and maternal serum retinol may reflect poor vitamin A status of the newborn and the mother, which in turn may affect fetal growth.     

Fetal and Neonatal Cortical Adrenal Function in Birth Asphyxia

ABSTRACT. Eighteen newborn infants, gestational age between 36 and 42 weeks with birth asphyxia were compared with 23 normal newborn infants to determine serum cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels in cord blood and in venous blood samples collected 12–18 hours after birth. Both groups were similar in gestational age, birthweight, proportion of small for gestational age and large for gestational age infants, proportion of infants delivered by cesarean section with and without labor, and proportion of mothers with pre-eclampsia. There was no antenatal exposure to corticosteroid. The asphyxiated newborn infants had a significantly higher mean cord serum level of cortisol, and a significantly lower mean cord serum level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate than the control group. Mean serum cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels collected 12–18 hours after birth were similar between both groups. It is suggested that elevated cord serum level of cortisol is related to birth asphyxia stress stimulating the adrenal definitive zone, and the low cord serum level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is secondary to a transient hypoxemic-ischemic insult to the adrenal fetal zone.     

IMMUNOELECTROPHORETIC DETERMINATION OF SERUM GLOBULINS 1N NEWBORN INFANTS OF DIABETIC MOTHERS

ABSTRACT. Davidsen, Otto (Diabetes Centre, Royal Maternity Department B, Rigshospitalet and Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sundby Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark) Immunoelectrophoretic Determination of Serum Globulins in Newborn Infants of Diabetic Mothers. Acta Paediatr Scand, 63: 833, 1974.—Serum globulins were investigated by means of crossed immunoelectrophoresis in the cord blood from 40 infants of diabetic mothers and 92 infants with non-diabetic mothers. In infants of non-diabetic mothers the concentration of most globulins was lower than in adults and positively correlated to the gestational age of the infant. For α₂-HS-glycoprotein and an unidentified α₂-glob-uEn, however, a negative correlation to the gestational age was observed. Infants of diabetic mothers had a higher Concentration of transferrin and lower concentrations of α₂-macroglohulin and α₁-lipoprotein as compared with infants of the reference group. In the diabetes group the globulin concentrations were correlated neither to the gestational age nor to their increased birth weight, but the ratio α₂,-macroglobulin/α₂-HS-glycoprotein, which was expected to be independent of variations in the degree of hydremia of the infants, was significantly correlated to the gestational age. As judged from this parameter, infants of diabetic mothers are comparable to infants of non-diabetic mothers of about 4 weeks lower gestational age.     

Neonatal jaundice: Its prevalance in Chinese babies and associating factors

A prospective study of 1238 full-term Chinese newborn infants was conducted to determine the incidence of neonatal jaundice and associated factors. A significantly more severe degree of hyperbilirubinaemia was present in infants whose ABO blood group was incompatible with that of their mothers and those who were deficient in the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). Among the remainder, clinical jaundice was present in 87% and 23.9% had a peak serum bilirubin (SB) concentration greater than 204 mol/l. Factors that were found to have an association with a higher peak SB concentration included: male infants; elder siblings who had a history of neonatal jaundice; and breast-fed infants with or without supplementation with formula feed. Factors that were found to have no significant association with the peak SB concentration were: gestational age; birthweight; the mode of delivery of the infants; maternal consumption of Chinese herbs and syntocinon induction or augmentation of labour.     

Macromolecular absorption in small-for-gestational-age infants

Using human alpha-lactalbumin as a marker protein, macromolecular absorption was studied in 40 preterm infants, appropriate for gestational age (AGA), in 12 AGA term infants and in 18 preterm infants, small for gestational age (SGA). The absorption of alpha-lactalbumin was measured as concentration in serum after a human milk feed and expressed as micrograms alpha-lactalbumin/l serum/l human milk/kg body weight on day 7, 14, 21 and 42 after delivery. The serum concentration of alpha-lactalbumin was correlated negatively with maturity and postnatal age. In the SGA infants, the concentration of alpha-lactalbumin was significantly higher than in the AGA infants of similar gestational age. The data show that intrauterine growth retardation causes a delayed postnatal decrease in macromolecular absorption. This may indicate delayed intestinal maturation.     

CERULOPLASMIN LEVELS AND ERYTHROCYTE SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE ACTIVITY IN SMALL PRETERM INFANTS DURING THE EARLY ANEMIA OF PREMATURITY

Abstract. Hågå, P. (Paediatric Research Institute, National Hospital of Norway, and Department of Paediatrics, Ullevål Hospital, Oslo, Norway). Ceruloplasmin levels and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity in small preterm infants during the early anemia of prematurity. Acta Paediatr Scand, 70: 861, 1981.-Ceruloplasmin plasma levels and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity were studied in appropriate for gestational age preterm infants (birth weights ≤1500 g) during the first 10 weeks of life. Preterm infants had significantly lower ceruloplasmin concentrations in cord blood than term infants, the mean level in the preterm infants being 0.07 g/I. At 1 week of age ceruloplasmin levels had risen significantly, whereupon a fall occurred at 2 weeks of age. Ceruloplasmin concentrations increased slowly and progressively from 4 weeks of age. The low ceruloplasmin concentration during the early anemia of prematurity seems not to interfere with iron mobilization. The superoxide dismutase activity per gram hemoglobin in cord blood erythrocytes from normal term infants was significantly lower than that of red blood cells from adults. When the activity was expressed per erythrocyte no difference was found. The normochromic macrocytic red blood cells of the neonate most likely explain this discrepancy. The erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity of the preterm infants did not change from birth until 10 weeks of age, and the levels seemed adequate judged from the levels found in red blood cells from adults and cord blood from term infants. Neither ceruloplasmin nor erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity seem to play a role in the etiology of the early anemia of prematurity.     

Serum zinc and copper levels in the maternal blood and cord blood of neonates

Estimation of serum zinc and copper in the maternal blood and cord blood of neonates was carried out to correlate the trace metals in the neonates and their mothers in relation to gestational age and birth weight. Sixty-five healthy neonates, both term and preterm and their mothers were selected. This cross sectional study was done at Azimpur Maternity Centre, Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Chemistry Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 1997 to June 1998. The estimation of trace metals was carried out by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The mean serum zinc levels in the maternal blood and cord blood were 0.47 ± 0.24 μg/ml and 0.85 ± 0.33 μg/ml respectively and the mean copper levels in the maternal blood and cord blood were 1.37 ± 0.62 μg/ml and 0.31 ± 0.32 μg/ml respectively. Cord blood zinc level was significantly higher and cord blood copper level was significantly lower than the corresponding maternal blood levels. There was no significant correlation between gestational age and serum zinc levels in the cord or maternal blood. But significant inverse correlation was found between gestational age and serum levels of copper in the maternal and cord blood.