Correlation between Maternal Serum Zinc Levels, Cord Blood Procollagen type 1-N Terminal Propeptide (P1NP) Levels and Anthropometric Measurements of Newborns

ABSTRACTBackground and Objective: Zinc is an important micronutrient that is required for optimal foetal growth and development. Zinc deficiency during pregnancy may interfere with intrauterine foetal ossification. Foetal ossification can be measured with specific bone growth markers, such as procollagen type 1-N terminal propeptide (P1NP). The objective of this study was to investigate mean maternal serum zinc levels and assess the correlations between maternal serum zinc levels and cord blood P1NP levels and anthropometric measurements of newborns. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital and other hospitals in Medan from April to October 2019. Eligible subjects were pregnant mothers and their newborns who met the inclusion criteria, and participants were enrolled with a consecutive sampling technique. Maternal serum zinc levels and cord blood P1NP levels were measured prior to delivery, and anthropometric measurements were conducted. Results: A total of 42 subjects were recruited and had a mean maternal serum zinc level of 52.0±9.0 µg/dL. The proportion of pregnant mothers with low serum zinc levels was high (54.8%). There was a significant correlation between maternal serum zinc levels and newborn birth weight (r=0.648), length (r=0.656) and head circumference (r=0.578) (P= 0.001). There was a significant, positive linear correlation between maternal serum zinc levels and cord blood P1NP levels (r=0.469; P=0.002). Conclusion: The mean maternal serum zinc levels during pregnancy were below normal. There were positive significant correlations between maternal serum zinc levels and cord blood P1NP levels and anthropometric measurements of newborns.Keywords: zinc, procollagen type 1-N terminal propeptide, birth weight