title: Trace elements' concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord plasma at term gestation: a comparison between active labor and elective cesarean delivery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Trace elements are minerals required in minute quantities to maintain proper physical functioning. The role of trace elements in the process of parturition is poorly understood. This study was aimed to determine levels of trace elements' concentration in maternal plasma and umbilical venous and arterial plasma at term during active labor vs elective cesarean delivery (CD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective case-control study was conducted. Forty healthy parturients in active labor at term with their newborns were compared to 40 healthy parturients matched for maternal age, parity, and gestational age, who delivered by elective CD (before commencement of labor). Samples of maternal venous blood and umbilical cord arterial and venous blood were drawn immediately following delivery. Trace elements' concentrations were measured using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant higher levels of manganese (Mn) and selenium were found in maternal venous plasma during active labor vs elective CD. Magnesium (Mg) levels were significantly higher in maternal venous blood during elective CD compared to active labor. Umbilical cord artery levels of Mg, Mn, and zinc (Zn) were significantly higher in active term labor vs elective CD. Also, significant higher levels of copper and Zn were found in umbilical cord vein between active labor and elective CD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Trace elements' concentrations differ significantly in fetal blood during active labor vs elective CD. Hence, trace elements may play a crucial role in the process of human parturition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Tal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lazer
authors.forename: Ofra
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Paz-Tal
authors.forename: Ohad
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Barak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aricha-Tamir
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sheleg
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maman
authors.forename: Tali
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Silberstein
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazor
authors.forename: Arnon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiznitzer
authors.forename: Eyal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sheiner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000097:blood*; D036801:Parturition / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements