The Relationship of Birth Weight, Feeding, and Gestational Age with Serum Copper and Zinc in Premature Neonates

Abstract

Introduction: Zinc and copper have a main role as nutrients in the growth and development of neonates. Aim: To evaluate the relationship of birth weight, feeding, and Gestational Age (GA) with serum copper and zinc in preterm neonates. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study has evaluated 107 preterm infants with Birth Weight (BWT) less than 2500 g that were hospitalised in neonatal intensive care unit for at least 10 days from January 2014 to March 2016 in Shiraz, Iran. Zinc and copper serum levels were compared in very low BWT (≤1500 g) and low BWT (1500-2500 g) in newborns and were investigated in regard to the type of nutrition, BWT, and GA. Zinc and copper levels were estimated using Flame-Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Multiple linear regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) test were used. Results: The mean plasma zinc levels in low BWT and very low BWT groups were 83.9±17.1 μg/dL and 48.2±10.4 μg/ dL, respectively (p<0.001). The mean serum copper levels in low BWT and very low BWT groups were 70.48±15.4 μg/ dL and 82.7±12.03 μg/dL respectively (p<0.001). There was a significant inverse correlation of serum copper with BWT (r=-0.525, p-value<0.001) and GA (r=-0.572, p-value<0.001). However, there was a positive correlation of the zinc level with BWT (r=0.758, p=0.001) and GA (r=0.741, p-value=0.001). Conclusion: Serum zinc is directly related to GA and LBW. Consequently, supplementation with zinc in premature neonates and LBW is necessary, but not copper.

Keywords

• minerals
• neonatal
• preterm infants
• supplementation
• trace elements