title: Maternal-neonatal magnesium and zinc serum concentrations after vaginal delivery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of the mode of delivery on maternal-neonatal Mg and Zn levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups of pregnant women participated in the study: Group A (n = 16) with normal labor and vaginal delivery and group B (n = 14) with scheduled cesarean section (CS). Blood was obtained at the beginning of the labor, immediately after delivery and from the umbilical cord (CB). Serum Mg and Zn were measured with atomic absorption spectroscopy and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels with a chemical autoanalyser.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mg, Zn and TAS levels were similar pre-delivery in both groups. TAS levels, Mg (0.81 ± 0.09 vs 0.69 ± 0.03 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and Zn levels (9.34 ± 0.37 vs 5.74 ± 0.24 μmol/L, p < 0.001) were significantly decreased after vaginal delivery. These biochemical parameters were measured practically unaltered at the same times of study in group B. The mineral levels did not differ in the CB of both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The decreased maternal Mg, Zn and TAS levels post vaginal delivery may be due to the participation of skeletal and uterus muscles and the similar levels of the minerals in the CB of neonates to the placental protection.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Child Health, Research Centre, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Kleopatra H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Schulpis
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karakonstantakis
authors.forename: George D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Vlachos
authors.forename: Alexios-Fotios A
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Mentis
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Karikas
authors.forename: Despoina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Afordakou
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papastamataki
authors.forename: Aris
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antsaklis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Papassotiriou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014621:Vagina / Q000502:physiology*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc