High Zinc Deficiency Linked to Increased Risk of Preterm Birth in Iraq

Shatha Salim  Mahmood; Ola Hikmat Makki; Nada Mohammed  Basil

Shatha Salim Mahmood Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Abu Ghraib General Hospital, Baghdad Iraq
Ola Hikmat Makki Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Abu Ghraib General Hospital, Baghdad Iraq
Nada Mohammed Basil Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Abu Ghraib General Hospital, Baghdad Iraq

Keywords: Preterm birth, Zinc deficiency, Maternal health, Pregnancy outcomes, Nutritional interventions

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between maternal blood zinc levels and preterm birth outcomes. Recognizing that zinc deficiencies in pregnant women correlate with various pregnancy complications, this research aimed to clarify zinc's impact on preterm delivery. Using a case-control design, zinc levels were measured via spectrophotometry in 138 pregnant women, including 76 who delivered prematurely and 62 who delivered at term, at Abi Ghraib General Hospital from February 2018 to September 2019. Results indicated a significantly lower average blood zinc concentration in the preterm group (39.62 µg/dL) compared to the term group (59.81 µg/dL) (P < 0.001). Additionally, women experiencing membrane rupture had lower zinc levels (43.06 µg/dL) than those who did not (50.46 µg/dL) (P = 0.01). No significant correlation was found between zinc levels and parity (P = 0.634). The study highlights the critical prevalence of zinc deficiency among expectant mothers and suggests that addressing micronutrient deficiencies through targeted nutritional interventions could improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1.] B. W. D., "Public Health Implications of Very Preterm Birth," Clin. Perinatol., vol. 45, no. 3, pp. 565-577, 2018.
[2.] K. M. W. S., A. C., H. R. Newnham J. P., "Applying Precision Public Health to Prevent Preterm Birth," Front. Public Health, vol. 5, no. 66, 2017.
[3.] W. D., S. L. B., A. M. M., R. Beck S., "The Worldwide Incidence of Preterm Birth: A Systematic Review," Bull. World Health Organ., vol. 88, no. 1, pp. 31-38, 2010.
[4.] A. L., B. Z., C. L. d. O., R. E. Black, "Maternal and Child Undernutrition: Global and Regional Exposures and Health Consequences," Lancet, vol. 371, no. 9608, pp. 243-260, 2008.
[5.] H. S., M. M. P., F. A. Alijahan R., "Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Preterm Birth in Ardabil, Iran," Iran J. Reprod. Med., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 47-56, 2014.
[6.] A. P. Torchin H., "Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Preterm Birth," J. Gynecol. Obstet. Biol. Reprod., vol. 45, no. 10, pp. 1213-1230, 2016.
[7.] E. V., B. P., A. S., K. Tellapragada C., "Risk Factors for Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight Among Pregnant Indian Women: A Hospital-Based Prospective Study," J. Prev. Med. Public Health, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 165-175, 2016.
[8.] H. S., M. M. P., F. A. Alijahan R., "Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Preterm Birth in Ardabil, Iran," Iran J. Reprod. Med., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 47-56, 2014.
[9.] E. S., I. J., M. L. D. Lengyel C. S., "Effect of Modifiable Risk Factors on Preterm Birth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," Matern. Child Health J., vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 777-785, 2017.
[10.] V. E. R., V. B. F., B. M. Keunen K., "Impact of Preterm Birth on Neurodevelopment," Pediatr. Res., vol. 77, no. 1-2, pp. 148-155, 2015.
[11.] A. K., H. M. R., M. W. McGregor J. A., "The Omega-3 Story: Nutritional Supplementation in Pregnancy," Nutritional, vol. 56, no. 5, pp. S1-3, 2001.
[12.] R. L., H. H. Plum L. M., "The Essential Toxin: Impact of Zinc on Human Health," Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 1342-1365, 2010.
[13.] M. A., F. A., V. L. Khadem N., "Relationship Between Serum Zinc Levels and Preterm Birth," Iran Red Crescent Med. J., vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 240-244, 2012.
[14.] N. N., E.-S. N. A., Z. A. Nossier S. A., "The Impact of Zinc Deficiency on Pregnancy Outcomes," Br. J. Nutr., vol. 114, no. 2, pp. 274-285, 2015.
[15.] M. A., G. M. B., G. Z. Blondel B., "Preterm Birth and Multiple Pregnancy in European Countries," BJOG, vol. 113, no. 5, pp. 528-535, 2006.
[16.] S. P., P. P. Kapil U., "Serum Zinc Levels Amongst Tribal Populations," East J. Med., vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 33-34, 2003.
[17.] M. G., N. M. M., H. Boskabadi H., "Maternal and Neonatal Serum Zinc and Copper Levels in Preterm Births," Trace Elements, vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 232-238, 2012.
[18.] S. J., F. Y. B., G. Rahmanian M., "Maternal Serum Copper and Zinc Levels and Premature Rupture of Membranes," J. Pak. Med. Assoc., vol. 64, no. 7, pp. 770-774, 2014.
[19.] S. H. Shah D., "Effect of Gestational Zinc Deficiency on Pregnancy Outcomes," Br. J. Nutr., vol. 85, no. 2, pp. 101-108, 2001.
[20.] C. A., S. F. C. B. Aydemir F., "Plasma Zinc Levels in Pregnant Women and Their Newborns," Biol. Trace Elem. Res., vol. 91, no. 3, pp. 193-202, 2003.
[21.] Z. M., M. A., H. Bahadoran P., "The Relationship Between Serum Zinc Level and Preterm Birth," Iran J. Nurs. Midwifery Res., vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 120-124, 2010.
[22.] A. A., A. N. A., E. E. M. Mohamed A. A., "Zinc, Parity, Infection, and Severe Anemia Among Pregnant Women," Biol. Trace Elem. Res., vol. 140, no. 3, pp. 284-290, 2011.
[23.] E. F., U. M. Gebremedhin S., "Prevalence of Zinc Deficiency Among Pregnant Women," BMC Public Health, vol. 11, p. 898, 2011.
[24.] G. A., N. T. V., K. T. T. N. Nguyen V. Q., "Prevalence and Correlates of Zinc Deficiency in Pregnant Women," Asia Pac. J. Clin. Nutr., vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 614-619, 2013.