Impact of Maternal Copper and Zinc Status on Pregnancy Outcomes in a Population of Pregnant Nigerians

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiencies, especially during pregnancy have been identified as important public health problem especially in economically disadvantaged settings. To determine the effect of maternal deficiencies of copper and zinc on pregnancy outcomes in a population of pregnant Nigerians, 349 pregnant women aged 15-40 years (mean; 27.04±2.75 years) recruited at gestational age of <25 week (mean; 21.8±3.14 wks) were evaluated for plasma copper and zinc using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The women were followed-up till delivery during which maternal morbidity and foetal outcomes were recorded. Both maternal sociodemographic and obstetric data were obtained by questionnaire. One hundred and sixty (45.8%) women were zinc deficient (mean = 2.65±1.16 μmol/l), 58.2% were deficient in copper (mean = 3.26±1.80 μmol/l), 23.8% were deficient in both copper and zinc while 18.6% were not deficient in either copper or zinc. There was comparative prevalence of illness in copper-deficient and copper-adequate mothers, except for hypertension which was significantly (p = 0.021) higher in the former. Significantly (p = 0.026) higher proportion of zinc adequate pregnant women suffered upper respiratory tract infections and malaria when compared with their zinc deficient counterparts. However, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher in mothers who were zinc deficient. Both plasma copper and zinc status had no significant effect on foetal outcome. The reason for the lack of effect of copper and zinc deficiencies on foetal outcomes in the presence of adverse maternal outcomes remained unknown.