Zinc status (plasma and hair zinc concentrations) during pregnancy: A longitudinal study†

A longitudinal study of plasma and hair zinc concentration analysis was performed in 51 and 38 pregnant women, respectively. Plasma zinc levels were followed from first trimester to the end of second trimester, whereas hair zinc concentrations were measured in all trimesters. They were all measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Both plasma and hair zinc levels declined significantly during the second trimesters There was also a significant difference in plasma zinc levels between the “well-nourished” and “poorly nourished” groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05)Similar changes could not be observed for hair zinc concentrations, probably because of the fact that all pregnant women were from Ankara rather than from villages, where the dietary habit is frequently associated with zinc deficiency. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 16:175–179, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.