Association of Serum Zinc and Copper with Clinical Parameters in Preterm Infants

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Egypt

2 Department Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Egypt

Abstract

Preterm is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. Copper and zinc 
are essential for the normal growth and development of human fetuses. This study aimed to assess 
serum zinc and copper levels in 50 single-born preterm infants and their relations with anthropometric 
parameters at birth in neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Pediatric Department in Beni-Suef University 
Hospital. All infants were suspected to maternal history taking, full clinical examination with 
measuring anthropometric parameters including body weight, body length and head circumference, 
serum Zinc and Copper were measured using spectrophotometer and Complete blood count was done. 
There was no association between serum zinc levels, serum copper levels and Zinc/Copper ratio with 
body weight, body length and head circumference. There was no significant correlation between 
gestational age and serum zinc levels, serum copper levels or zinc/ copper ratio. No significant 
differences were found between SGA and AGA infants as regarding serum zinc levels, serum copper 
levels and Zinc/Copper ratio. 

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Minia Journal of Medical Research
Volume 31, Issue 4
October 2020
Pages 50-55

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