Selenium status of pregnant women and newborns in the former Soviet Union

The estimation of the selenium status during pregnancy is of great importance because of the significance of selenium for fetus growth and antioxidant protection of neonates. This problem is especially urgent for Russia and its neighbors because very little data are available and because data on soil selenium predict low intake levels of selenium. A large epidemiological investigation made in various areas of the former USSR allowed us to obtain the first information concerning the subject. Serum samples were obtained during 1990–1998 from 556 female blood donors aged 20–53 yr and 722 pregnant women (18–33 yr) during different times of gestation. The mean serum selenium concentration of nonpregnant women varied from 0.87 μmol/L (Slavutich, Ukraine) to 1.74 μmol/L (Ioshkar-Ola, Mary-El) and that of women at delivery from 0.66 μmol/L (Zaporozie, Ukraine) to 1.34 μmol/L (Sakhalin, Russia). Compilation of literature and present data on serum selenium showed the following relationships: nonpregnant women versus women at delivery, y=x -0.25, r=0.94; women at delivery versus umbilical serum, log y=log x -0.2, r=0.97. The two relationships were used to predict serum selenium values for pregnant women taking into account the progressive serum selenium decrease during advancing pregnancy. In almost half of the towns (i.e. 22–50%), pregnant women were considered to have relative selenium deficiency.     

The influence of zinc status on the kinetics of zinc uptake into cultured endothelial cells

To better understand cellular zinc homeostasis and characterize the zinc transport process, a mammalian cell culture model was utilized to investigate the influence of zinc status on the kinetics of zinc uptake. Culturing conditions were optimized to induce moderate zinc deficiency and zinc excess while still sustaining the general health of the cells. Cells were grown in (1) control medium of 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) in minimum essential medium (MEM; 5.0 micromol zinc/L), (2) low zinc medium (10% dialyzed FBS in MEM; 1.5 micromol zinc/L), or (3) zinc back medium (10% dialyzed FBS in MEM with zinc added as ZnCl(2); 5.0 micromol zinc/L). Bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC), porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC), and porcine venous endothelial cells (PVEC) were evaluated as to their responsiveness to our zinc-deficient conditions. Zinc uptake was faster (P < 0.001) in all three cell types when they were grown in low zinc medium compared with controls; the increases were 32% in PAEC, 37% in PVEC, and 66% in BPAEC. Further kinetic analysis with BPAEC demonstrated a 31% increase (P < 0.05) in the maximum rate of zinc uptake (Jmax) grown in low zinc medium compared with controls, but no difference (P > 0.05) between the low zinc group and the control group in the concentration at which uptake was half-maximal (K). Zinc uptake into BPAEC grown in excess zinc conditions was not different (P > 0.05) unless the medium contained greater than 50 micromol zinc/L. In conclusion, BPAEC increased their ability for zinc uptake in response to moderate zinc deficiency, but did not change their kinetics of zinc uptake during moderate zinc excess.     

Serum cortisol level changes in the maternal-fetoplacental unit between the 28th-40th weeks of pregnancy

Changes in the serum cortisol level of maternal venous, umbilical venous and umbilical arterial blood were studied separately between the 28th-36th weeks in cases of preterm deliveries (n = 74) and in the 40th week in cases of term delivery (n = 34). Results indicate that between the 28th-40th weeks of pregnancy the cortisol concentration increased only in the serum of the umbilical artery; the "umbilical arterial/umbilical venous concentration X100" quotient rose from a value of 86% measured at 28th-32nd weeks to 103% in the 40th week of pregnancy. Positive correlation was found between the cortisol concentration of the three samples. On the basis of these results the authors believe that fetal adreno-cortical activity increases before birth.     

Ultrasonic transit-time measurement of blood flow in the umbilical arteries and veins in the bovine fetus during stage II of labor

The vitality of the bovine fetus during parturition depends on an intact umbilical circulation to supply adequate amounts of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. The goal of the present study was to measure the blood flow in the umbilical vessels during stage II of labor and to determine when blood flow ceases in the umbilical cord. In 20 cows, ultrasonographic transducers were placed on one umbilical vein and one umbilical artery after rupture of the allantochorionic sac, and the blood flow volume per unit time was measured. At the same time, a pressure transducer was placed into the uterus to measure uterine pressure. Parturition was spontaneous in all 20 cows. In 20 live calves born, pH, base excess and lactate concentration were measured in the blood immediately after birth. During the last 90 min before birth the mean total umbilical blood flow (artery and vein combined) was 1.186+/-0.028 L/min. Calves with a blood pH> or =7.2 (n=13) had a higher mean total blood flow than calves with a pH<7.2 (n=7; 1.243+/-0.038 versus 1.095+/-0.038 L/min). In calves with a blood pH<7.2, the mean total blood flow decreased from 1.178+/-0.134 at 20 min before birth to 0.959+/-0.126 L/min at the end of stage II of labor. During this time period, the arterial blood flow did not differ between calves with a blood pH> or =7.2 and<7.2, but venous blood flow decreased significantly in calves with a blood pH<7.2. During uterine contractions, the total umbilical blood flow decreased significantly by 0.22 L/min. The blood flow in the umbilical artery and vein ceased before the calves were completely born.     

Umbilical Serum Copper Status and Neonatal Birth Outcomes: a Prospective Cohort Study

Our study aimed to assess the distribution of copper (Cu) in umbilical cord serum and estimated the association between umbilical serum Cu status and neonatal birth outcomes in a Chinese population. Through the Ma’anShan Birth Cohort Study, 2689 maternal-singleton pairs with detailed birth records and available serum samples were identified. The tertile levels of ln-transformed Cu were used to define low, medium, and high levels for serum Cu. The median for umbilical cord serum Cu was 298.2 μg/L with a range of 123.1–699.6 μg/L in this study population. Our study found a positive association between the concentration of serum Cu in the umbilical cord and the duration of gestation. Compared with medium Cu levels, we found that infants with low Cu levels had a significant higher risk of preterm birth (OR = 5.06, 95% CI 2.74, 9.34) and early-term birth (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.10, 1.69) in the crude model. We also found that infants with high Cu levels had a significant higher risk of late- or post-term birth (OR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.11, 1.95). A significant higher risk of preterm, early-term, and late- or post-term birth still remained, even after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Our findings suggested that both Cu deficiency and Cu overload had an adverse effect on neonatal birth outcomes.     

Serum prolactin level changes in the maternal and fetal circulation between the 28th-40th weeks of pregnancy

Serum prolactin concentration was determined in blood samples taken from the maternal cubital vein, the umbilical vein and artery between the 28th-40th weeks of pregnancy from 108 parturients, of whom 74 gave birth prematurely and 34 gave birth at term. Results indicated that during this period the prolactin level rose in the umbilical vein and artery but not in the maternal vein. Correlative analysis showed a significant positive correlation between gestational age and the serum prolactin concentration of umbilical arterial and venous blood, but no correlation was found in the case of maternal blood. During the 28th-32nd weeks the prolactin level of maternal blood was found to be higher than that of umbilical blood while during the 33rd-36th weeks and at the 40th week the prolactin level was higher in the umbilical vein and artery. No correlation was found between the prolactin concentration of maternal and umbilical blood. On the basis of these results the authors conclude that fetal prolactin concentration changes occur independently of the maternal organism and increases during the 28th-40th weeks of pregnancy.     

Fetal and infant growth and cardiovascular risk factors in women.

OBJECTIVE--To examine whether cardiovascular risk factors in women are related to fetal and infant growth. DESIGN--Follow up study of women born 1923-30 whose birth weights and weights at one year were recorded. SETTING--Hertfordshire. SUBJECTS--297 women born and still living in East Hertfordshire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations during a standard oral glucose tolerance test; fasting plasma proinsulin and 32-33 split proinsulin concentrations; blood pressure; fasting serum total, low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and apolipoprotein A I and B concentrations; and plasma fibrinogen and factor VII concentrations. RESULTS--Fasting plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and 32-33 split proinsulin fell with increasing birth weight (P = 0.04, P = 0.002, and P = 0.0002 respectively, when current body mass index was allowed for). Glucose and insulin concentrations 120 minutes after an oral glucose load showed similar trends (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02). Systolic blood pressure, waist:hip ratio, and serum triglyceride concentrations also fell with increasing birth weight (P = 0.08, P = 0.07, and P = 0.07 respectively), while serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations rose (P = 0.04). At each birth weight women who currently had a higher body mass index had higher levels of risk factors. CONCLUSION--In women, as in men, reduced fetal growth leads to insulin resistance and the associated disorders: raised blood pressure and high serum triglyceride and low serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. The highest values of these coronary risk factors occur in people who were small at birth and became obese. In contrast with men, low rates of infant growth did not predict levels of risk factors in women.     

Correlation between birth weight, leptin, zinc and copper levels in maternal and cord blood

Leptin and zinc are involved in the regulation of appetite. Copper is a trace element regulating the functions of several cuproenzymes that are essential for life. To evaluate the relationship between zinc and copper status and the leptin system in humans, we examined whether leptin concentrations in the mother and the newborn correlate with the weight of mother, placenta and newborn. A total of 88 pregnant women at 38-42 weeks' gestation were studied. All infants were categorized as small for gestational age (SGA) (n = 16), average for gestational age (AGA) (n = 59) or large for gestational age (LGA) (n = 13). Leptin, zinc, and copper levels were measured in maternal and cord serum at birth. Maternal BMI and placental weight of the LGA groups were significantly higher than those of the SGA and AGA groups. Cord and maternal leptin levels of the SGA groups were significantly lower than those of the AGA and LGA groups. Maternal serum leptin levels were positively correlated with BMI and maternal zinc levels in all groups. Cord serum leptin levels of all groups were positively correlated with birth weight and placental weight. Birth weight was negatively correlated with maternal and cord copper level of all groups. Umbilical leptin concentrations of SGA newborns correlated with leptin concentrations of their mothers. In all pregnancies, birth weight increases in association with increase in cord leptin level. Our results suggest that maternal zinc but not copper level has an effect on maternal serum leptin levels. The increase in copper level in both maternal and cord blood may contribute to restriction in fetal growth.     

Plasma zinc concentrations of mothers and the risk of nonsyndromic oral clefts in their children: a case-control study in the Philippines

BACKGROUND: Findings from animal experiments suggest a link between poor maternal zinc status and increased risk of oral clefts in offspring; however, there are few human studies on this issue. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted using 74 case mothers of children with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P, n=57) or cleft palate alone (CP, n=17), and 283 control mothers of unaffected children recruited in the Philippines in early 2003. Maternal zinc status was assessed by determining plasma zinc concentrations a mean of 5 years after delivery of the index child. Odds ratios (ORs) of estimates of the relative risk of oral clefts were calculated for quartiles of maternal plasma zinc concentrations. RESULTS: The mean plasma zinc concentration of CL/P case mothers (9.6+/-1.2, SD micromol/l) was significantly lower than that in control mothers (10.1+/-1.6 micromol/l; P<0.05). Low plasma zinc concentrations (<11.0 micromol/l) were found in 88% and 94% of CL/P and CP case mothers, respectively, and in 72% of controls (P<0.05). The ORs for CL/P and CP combined, adjusted for potential confounding factors, decreased with increasing quartile of plasma zinc as follows: 1.0 (lowest quartile reference), 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.37-1.89), 0.70 (0.31-1.68), and 0.26 (0.10-0.70) (P trend=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Low plasma zinc concentrations were common in Filipino women of reproductive age, and higher plasma zinc concentrations were associated with a lower risk for oral clefts in their children.     

Maternal Cadmium Levels During Pregnancy and the Relationship with Preeclampsia and Fetal Biometric Parameters

Preeclampsia, which is caused by multiple factors, still remains one of the most serious complications of pregnancy. This study was designed to determine cadmium levels in women with preeclampsia compared to those of normotensive women. In this case-control study, maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, and placental cadmium levels were measured by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry system in 51 women presenting consecutively with preeclampsia and 51 normotensive pregnant women. Groups were matched for maternal age, parity, and gestational age. Birth outcomes were recorded, such as gestational age at delivery, birth weight, and Apgar score. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) blood cadmium concentration was 1.21 μg/L (0.76–1.84 μg/L) and 1.09 μg/L (0.72–1.31 μg/L) in women with preeclampsia and normotensive, respectively; values for placental cadmium levels of women with preeclampsia and normotensive were 3.61 μg/kg (2.19–4.37 μg/kg) and 4.28 μg/kg (3.06–5.71 μg/kg), respectively. We observed a statistically significant increase in blood and placental cadmium levels in women with preeclampsia compared to healthy pregnant women. After adjusting for pre-pregnancy body mass index, maternal age, parity, gestational age at sample collection, and maternal calcium and magnesium levels, the odds ratio of having preeclampsia in the high tertile was markedly increased (odds ratio, 7.83 [95% CI, 1.64–37.26]) compared with the low tertile. Interestingly, there was no difference in the cadmium level in umbilical cord blood between the groups. Within the preeclamptic group, higher cadmium status was significantly associated with decreased birth weight. Our study suggested that elevated cadmium level in the maternal circulation could potentially increase the risk of preeclampsia. The results also demonstrate that higher cadmium status may contribute to fetal growth restriction in preeclamptic patients.     

Reference Values for Serum Zinc Concentration and Prevalence of Zinc Deficiency in Adult Iranian Subjects

Zinc, as an essential trace element for health, plays various biological roles in human body functions. Serum zinc reference values are essential for assessing zinc-associated abnormalities and the prevalence of zinc deficiency. This study aims at determining age- and sex-specific reference values for serum zinc concentrations in adult Iranian subjects. Serum zinc concentration was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry in 4,698 adult subjects, aged 20?C94?years, randomly selected from the population of the Tehran, Lipid, and Glucose Study. After application of exclusion criteria, reference values for serum zinc were determined in 2,632 apparently healthy subjects according to guidelines of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (nonparametric method). Dietary zinc was assessed in 2,906 individuals, of which 1,685 were healthy subjects, using a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Reference values for serum zinc concentrations ranged between 9.6 and 31.6, 8.9 and 29.9, and 9.3 and 30.8???mol/L in men, women, and the total population, respectively. Prevalence of serum zinc deficiency was 3.0 and 2.4?% in men and women, respectively (p?=?0.267); in men, but not in women, the prevalence increased significantly with age (p for trend <0.001). Of the total participants, 10.3?% (6.5 men and 3.8?% women, p?<?0.01) had lower zinc intake compared to dietary reference intakes. The zinc density of the population was 6.3?mg/1,000?kcal. In conclusion, this study presents reference values for serum zinc concentration in adult Iranian subjects for both sexes and different age groups. Prevalence of serum zinc deficiency and dietary zinc inadequacy seems to be lower in Iranians, compared to some other populations.     

Determination of Selenium in Serum Samples of Preterm Newborn Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Using a Validated Hydride Generation System

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), also known as chronic lung disease, is one of the most challenging complications in premature newborn infants. Selenium plays a role in antioxidant system by protecting cell membranes and neutralizing the deleterious effects of free radicals. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between selenium concentration and incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia using a validated analytical method. Umbilical cord blood and blood samples 30 days after the birth were collected from 38 preterm newborn infants with gestation age of 32 weeks or less, and the separated serums were kept at -70°C until analysis time. Selenium concentration of serum was determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The method was validated on the basis of standard validation techniques. The analytical method was linear in the range of 1 to 500 μg/L with the limit of detection of 0.4 μg/L. Samples were collected from 38 infants whose gestation age was 32 weeks or less. The blood samples were collected from the umbilical cord blood at birth in 19 cases. In 25 cases, blood samples were collected 1 month after birth. Of the 15 patients diagnosed with BPD, 10 were boys (p = 0.02). The mean serum selenium concentration was not different at birth between patients with and without BPD, but it was significantly lower at 30 days after birth in patients with BPD (38.5 ± 14.1vs. 45.4 ± 18.7 μg/L, p = 0.02). Preterm newborn infants with BPD had lower serum selenium concentrations 1 month after birth.     

Zinc uptake by human placental microvillous membrane vesicles

Zinc uptake by syncytiotrophoblast microvillous membrane vesicles (SMMV) from human placentas was characterized and the effects of maternal serum zinc levels at term and of gestational age on kinetic parameters were evaluated. Zinc uptake at pH 7.2 was rapid for the first 2 min, followed by a slower increase, approaching equilibrium after 30 min. Uptake was saturable at a zinc concentration of 30 micromol/L, higher than the upper range of the physiological serum zinc level. Kinetic analysis of uptake at 1 min in SMMV from term placenta showed similar Km values (mean: 6.9+/-0.6 micromol/L) for different levels of maternal serum zinc. However, Vmax was higher (p < 0.05) in SMMV from mothers with serum zinc lower than 7.6 micromol/L compared to those with higher serum zinc levels (35.8+/-1.6 and 26.6+/-1.6 nmol 65Zn/mg protein/min, respectively). Km values were similar in term (>37 wk of gestation) and preterm (20-25 wk of gestation) placentas, whereas Vmax was higher (p < 0.05) in the preterm (34.3+/-1.6 nmol Zn/mg protein/min) compared to term placentas from mothers with serum zinc levels above 7.6 micromol/L. These results suggest that whereas afffinity for zinc was not altered with gestational age or maternal serum zinc levels, zinc-uptake capacity in human placenta is influenced both by gestational age and by low levels of maternal serum zinc in order to ensure an adequate maternal-fetal zinc transfer.     

Choline status in newborns, infants, children, breast-feeding women, breast-fed infants and human breast milk

This study assessed the choline status in newborns, infants, children, breast-feeding women, breast milk, infant formula, breast-fed and formula-fed infants. The serum free choline level was 35.1+/-1.1 micromol/L at birth and decreased to 24.2+/-1.6, 18.1+/-0.8, 16.3+/-0.9, 14.3+/-0.8, 12.9+/-0.6 or 10.9+/-0.6 micromol/L at 22-28, 151-180, 331-365, 571-730, 731-1095 or 4016-4380 days after birth, respectively. The serum phospholipid-bound choline level was 1997+/-75 micromol/L at birth and increased gradually to 2315+/-190 or 2572 +/-100 micromol/L at 571-730 or 4016-4380 days after birth, respectively. In breast-feeding women, serum free and phospholipid-bound choline levels were doubled at 12-28 days after birth, they decreased toward the control values with time. Free choline, phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine were major choline compounds in breast milk. Their concentrations in mature milk were much greater than in colostrum and serum. Choline contents of breast milk varied greatly between mothers, and milk free choline levels were correlated with serum free choline (r=.541; P<.001), phospholipid-bound choline (r=.527; P<.001) and glycerophosphocholine (r=.299; P<.01) concentrations and lactating days (r=.520; P<.001). In breast-fed infants, serum free choline concentrations were correlated with free choline (r=.47; P<.001), phosphocholine (r=.345; P<.002), glycerophosphocholine (r=.311; P<.01) and total choline (r=.306; P<.01) contents of breast milk. Serum free choline concentration in formula-fed infants was lower than breast-fed infants. These data show that (a) circulating choline status is elevated during infancy and lactation, (b) choline contents of breast milk vary between mothers and milk free choline contents are influenced by maternal circulating choline status, and (c) the choline contents of breast milk can influence infants' circulating choline status.     

Dietary and Non-dietary Factors Associated with Serum Zinc in Indian Women

Women in low-income settings, common in India, are at risk of inadequate zinc intake due to poor diet quality and low consumption of flesh foods rich in zinc. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of zinc status of non-pregnant rural and tribal women living in central India and to identify dietary and non-dietary factors associated with the biochemical zinc status of these women. Rural and tribal non-pregnant women 18–30 years of age were selected using proportion to population sampling near Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. Sociodemographic, biochemical (serum zinc), clinical, and dietary data (1-day interactive 24-h recall) were collected. The mean age of women (n?=?109; rural?=?52; tribal?=?56) was 23.2 years and mean BMI was 17.9 kg/m². The majority of the participants identified as being non-vegetarian (72 %). The mean?±?SD serum zinc concentration was 10.8?±?1.6 μmol/L, and 52 % of participants had a low serum zinc concentration according to the International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group (IZiNCG). The median (first and third quartile) energy, zinc intake, and phytate/zinc molar ratio was 5.4 (4.2, 6.7)?MJ/day, 5.3 (3.8, 7.0)?mg/day, and 26 (22, 28), respectively. Zinc intakes were well below IZiNCG recommendations for dietary zinc of 9 mg/day for non-pregnant women aged 14–18 years and 7 mg/day for non-pregnant women aged ≥19 years. Using linear regression analysis to identify non-dietary and dietary factors associated with serum zinc, a significant association was only found for current lactation (p?=?0.012) and energy intake (p?相似文献   

Effects of dietary zinc deficiency on homocysteine and folate metabolism in rats

In rats, zinc deficiency has been reported to result in elevated hepatic methionine synthase activity and alterations in folate metabolism. We investigated the effect of zinc deficiency on plasma homocysteine concentrations and the distribution of hepatic folates. Weanling male rats were fed ad libitum a zinc-sufficient control diet (382.0 nmol zinc/g diet), a low-zinc diet (7.5 nmol zinc/g diet), or a control diet pair-fed to the intake of the zinc-deficient rats. After 6 weeks, the body weights of the zinc-deficient and pair-fed control groups were lower than those of controls, and plasma zinc concentrations were lowest in the zinc-deficient group. Plasma homocysteine concentrations in the zinc-deficient group (2.3 +/- 0.2 micromol/L) were significantly lower than those in the ad libitum-fed and pair-fed control groups (6.7 +/- 0.5 and 3.2 +/- 0.4 micromol/L, respectively). Hepatic methionine synthase activity in the zinc-deficient group was higher than in the other two groups. Low mean percentage of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in total hepatic folates and low plasma folate concentration were observed in the zinc-deficient group compared with the ad libitum-fed and pair-fed control groups. The reduced plasma homocysteine and folate concentrations and reduced percentage of hepatic 5-methyltetrahydrofolate are probably secondary to the increased activity of hepatic methionine synthase in zinc deficiency.     

Predictors of ratio of placental weight to fetal weight in multiethnic community.

OBJECTIVE--To determine whether placental ratio is influenced by maternal ethnic origin, obesity, hypertension, and haematological indices of iron deficiency anaemia. DESIGN--Observational study. SETTING--District general hospital in Birmingham. SUBJECTS--692 healthy nulliparous pregnant women, of whom 367 were European, 213 Asian, 99 Afro-Caribbean, and 13 of other or undocumented ethnic origin. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Placental ratio and maternal body mass index, blood pressure, and haematological indices. RESULTS--Though birth weight and placental weight were lower in Asian women than in other groups, mean placental ratio was similar in Asian (19.5% (SD 3.3%)), European (20.0% (4.0%)), and Afro-Caribbean women (20.4% (5.3%)). Gestational age at birth was the main predictor of placental ratio in the univariate analysis (r = -0.34, P < 0.001) and multivariate analysis. The only other significant predictor of placental ratio in multivariate analysis was maternal body mass index, which was positively associated with placental ratio (r = 0.1, P = 0.01). Mean (SD) placental ratio was not significantly higher in women who developed gestational hypertension (20.4% (4.5%)) and pre-eclampsia (23.3% (7.3%)) than in normal women (19.8% (3.8%)). No evidence of a relation between placental ratio and first antenatal visit haemoglobin concentration or mean cell volume was detected, and placental ratio was not associated with change in mean cell volume during pregnancy or with third trimester serum ferritin concentration. CONCLUSIONS--These data do not support the proposed association between poor maternal nutrition and increased placental ratio. The association between high placental ratio and adult hypertension may be confounded by genetic and environmental factors associated with maternal obesity (and possibly maternal hypertension).     

Plasma trace element (Se,Zn, Cu) concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood in Poland

Selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) concentrations were determined in plasma of 64 mothers at delivery, 58 nonpregnant women, 64 neonates, and 12 infants, aged 2–12 mo. Se and Zn concentrations in mothers at delivery were significantly lower, and Cu higher than in nonpregnant women. Mean Se and Cu concentrations in newborns were statistically lower than those in mothers at delivery, and Zn and Cu concentrations in preterm infants (n=13) were significantly higher than in fullterm infants (n=51). Maternal parity had no significant influence on the distribution of plasma trace element levels. No significant differences were observed in Se and Zn levels in maternal and cord blood plasma according to birth weight, contrary to maternal Cu concentration. Significant correlations were found between maternal and cord blood Se content, and between maternal plasma Cu concentration and birth weight of neonates.     

Selenium status of the Swiss population: assessment and change over a decade

A monitoring study of serum selenium concentration was carried out on healthy blood donors from different regions of Switzerland. With an overall mean serum concentration of 98 microg/L (n=1847), the selenium status of the healthy adults can be assessed as adequate. The lowest measured concentration of 62 microg/L denotes that the risk of a marginal selenium deficiency in the Swiss population is small. Compared to a similar study carried out in 1993, the status improved for both genders, although the increase is higher among women. It is noteworthy that the supplementation practice has increased during this period with ca. 2% of the population taking Se-micronutrients. No correlation between the age and the serum concentration is detected, even though the age-range was enlarged in this study to 18-68 years for the women and to 19-72 years for the men. The place of residence only marginally influences the selenium concentration, which implies a certain uniformity of the dietary habits between the various regions of the country.     

脐动脉血流对预测子痫前期新生儿和产妇结局的价值分析

目的:探讨应用脐动脉血流用于预测子痫前期新生儿和产妇结局的临床价值。方法:选择在我院产科建档分娩的120例孕产妇作为研究对象,根据子痫前期发病情况分为子痫前期组60例与对照组60例,记录和比较两组孕产妇的一般资料、血脂、血糖水平、分娩前脐动脉血流与新生儿体重、胎盘的重量及Apgar评分,并进行相关性与危险因素分析。结果:两组孕产妇的年龄、孕次、产次、流产次数、孕周等对比差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。子痫前期组的血清HDL-C水平低于对照组(P0.05),血清TC、TG、LDL-C、FBG水平高于对照组(P0.05)。与对照组比较,子痫前期组脐动脉S/D、RI与PI值显著升高(P0.05)。所有孕产妇都顺利完成分娩,孕产妇与新生儿都存活,子痫前期组的新生儿出生体重及Apgar评分和胎盘的重量均显著低于对照组(P0.05)。在子痫前期组中,脐动脉S/D、RI、PI值与新生儿出生体重呈现显著负相关性(P0.05)。多重线性回归分析显示子痫前期孕产妇的脐动脉S/D、RI、PI值为影响新生儿出生体重的独立危险因素(P0.05)。结论:脐动脉血流与子痫前期新生儿出生体重显著相关,脐动脉S/D、RI、PI值为影响新生儿出生体重的独立危险因素,子痫前期脐动脉血流监测可为预测新生儿和产妇结局以及预后提供参考。