Determination of serum copper concentration in pregnancy at term, using potentiometric stripping analysis (P.S.A.).
The serum copper concentrations were determined in a group of 41 pregnant women and in a group of 30 non-pregnant women used as a control-group. The determinations were made by Potentiometric Stripping Analysis (P.S.A.) a method much cheaper but equally reliable to others used for determination of bioelements. The levels of copper in serum were found significantly lower in both groups [control group: (mean +/- S.D.): 0.56 +/- 0.16 mg/l, pregnant women, (mean +/- S.D.): 1.77 +/- 0.47 mg/l] than the levels referred in studies from other countries. This finding in combination with the obvious advantages of the P.S.A. method, allow us to propose copper determination as a routine examination during pregnancy, in order to make an early diagnosis and manage a possible copper deficiency in pregnant women, accordingly.
Paraskevaidis
E
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ioannina, Greece.
Nanos
C
C
Kalitsaris
A
A
Karayannis
M
M
Lolis
D
D
D000328:Adult; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011199:Potentiometry / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000517:prevention & control
D003300:Copper