title: Serum levels of zinc and copper in hydatidiform mole.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify any association between serum levels of trace elements zinc and copper and development of hydatidiform mole.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples of 35 patients with complete hydatidiform mole and 34 pregnant women controls were evaluated for serum levels of zinc and copper. Student's t-test was used for comparison of mean values of serum zinc and copper and for demographic variables. p< or =0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of zinc in serum were found to be significantly higher in hydatidiform mole patients than controls (86.3 vs. 68.7 microg/l, p=0.027). Serum copper levels were significantly lower in hydatidiform mole patients than controls (123.8 vs. 147.8 microg/l, p=0.039; Table 2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study in the English scientific literature reporting higher serum levels of zinc and lower serum levels of copper associated with complete hydatidiform mole.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Harran, Sanliurfa, Turkey. mehmetharma@superonline.com
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harma
authors.forename: Muge
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harma
authors.forename: Abdurrahim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kocyigit
authors.forename: Huseyin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Keles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc