Trace element status in plasma and erythrocytes in hyperemesis gravidarum

OBJECTIVE: To determine trace element status in plasma and erythrocytes hyperemetic women at presentation and after treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Studies were carried out on 32 women with hyperemesis gravidarum. Thirteen non-vomiting, healthy, pregnant women served as controls. Copper, zinc and magnesium concentrations in both plasma and erythrocytes were estimated before and after treatment. Independent sample t test, paired sample t test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi2 test, Kruskall-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and Spearman's correlation study were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in erythrocyte zinc, copper and magnesium concentration. Plasma zinc levels were significantly higher (P = .006), while plasma copper levels were significantly lower (P = .001) in the study group as compared to the controls, but plasma magnesium levels were not significantly altered. Treatment brought a significant decrease in plasma zinc levels (P = .001), increase in plasma copper concentration (P = .001) but no change in erythrocyte zinc, copper or magnesium concentration. When trace element levels were grouped according to the degree of ketonuria, no significant differences were found in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Hyperemetic women had normal tissue zinc, copper and magnesium concentrations, and rehydration normalized the plasma zinc and copper levels. Otherwise, no significant effects on trace elements were noted.