Disturbed zinc metabolism and reduced birthweight related to raised maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein in normal human pregnancies.
The hypothesis was examined that altered maternal zinc metabolism is involved in the low birthweight associated with raised maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP). Mothers with clinically normal pregnancy and normally formed infant but with raised MSAFP (> 90th percentile) had lower than normal plasma zinc concentration, raised leucocyte zinc and disturbed zinc-albumin relationship. They delivered offspring with lower birthweights than did women with normal MSAFP concentration, due both to shorter pregnancy and slower intrauterine growth. These results and others identify a subgroup of mothers associated with low infant birthweight, those with raised MSAFP, who have altered zinc distribution.
Bloxam
D L
DL
Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London, UK.
Williams
N R
NR
Waskett
R J
RJ
Stewart
S G
SG
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D015032:Zinc