Publication:

Association of maternal serum zinc status with neonatal birth weight

Background Zinc, a vital micronutrient, plays a significant role in cellular growth and immune function. Insufficient maternal zinc levels can impact fetal growth, leading to low birth weight, a risk factor for neonatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of maternal serum zinc status with neonatal birth weight.

Methods This case-control study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladeshfrom November 2019 to October 2021. A total of 60 women in their postnatal period were included in this study among which 30 women having a baby weighing 0.05). Mean BMI was 23.88±1.36 kg/m2 in cases and 24.39±1.39 kg/m2 in controls, with 16.7% of cases overweight (p>0.05). Cases had lower maternal serum zinc (58.33±27.63 mcg/dL) than controls (82.96±16.94 mcg/dL), significantly affecting neonatal birth weight (p=0.001, r=+0.406). Low zinc levels (<68 mcg/dL) increased the risk of birth weight <2.500 Kg by nearly six times (OR 5.67, 95% CI 1.84-17.49; p=0.002).

Conclusions From the findings, it can be concluded that serum zinc status is associated with the birth weight of the neonates. Low serum level of zinc is related to neonatal LBW.