Maternal-neonatal magnesium and zinc serum concentrations after vaginal delivery.
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.
Schulpis
Kleopatra H
KH
Institute of Child Health, Research Centre, Athens, Greece.
Karakonstantakis
Theodore
T
Vlachos
George D
GD
Mentis
Alexios-Fotios A
AF
Karikas
George A
GA
Afordakou
Despoina
D
Papastamataki
Maria
M
Antsaklis
Aris
A
Papassotiriou
Ioannis
I
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*
D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc