title: Intrauterine growth restriction and zinc concentrations in term infants during the first month of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We analyzed the influence of IUGR on the concentrations of plasma (Znpl) and erythrocyte (Zne) zinc and on the ratios of Zne to Znpl (Zne:Znpl) and Zne to hemoglobin (Zne:Hb) in term infants during the first month of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary Care Neonatal Unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Exclusively breastfed term newborns (n = 84) were divided into 3 groups: group I, without IUGR (n = 41), group II, with mild to moderate IUGR (n = 12), and group III, with severe IUGR (n = 31). IUGR was defined as birth weight under the 5th percentile of the Alexander et al curve and as a Kramer Index (KI; ratio of birth weight to estimated weight for each gestational age) <0.85. Severe IUGR was defined as a KI <0.75. Znpl, Zne, and Hb were measured at birth, 3 days, and 1 month of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Znpl tended to decrease (P = 0.073), Zne and Zne:Znpl increased (P < 0.001), and Hb decreased (P < 0.001) during the first month of life. There was not Znpl, Zne and Zne:Znpl time by group interaction. Zne:Hb increased (P < 0.001) during the first month of life and was lower in Group II at 1 month of age. Differences between Groups I and II (P = 0.017); and Groups II and III at 1 month of age (P = 0.011) were detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that IUGR did not have association with erythrocyte zinc and Zne:Hb ratio at birth. However, neonatal nutrition could have influenced zinc incorporation during this period, through Zne increase.
authors.affiliation: Nursery Annex to the Maternity, Clinics Hospital, São Paulo University, School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brasil. renato.yamada@ig.com.br
authors.forename: Renato Takeshi
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Cléa Rodrigues
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Leone
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001724:Birth Weight; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004912:Erythrocytes; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D015032:Zinc