Correlation of Low Birth Weight of Neonates to Placental Levels of Zinc, Copper, Iron, Lipid Peroxidation and Glutathione

This study was conducted to seek association between placental redox (antioxidant/oxidant) parameters and essential metals status (zinc, copper, iron) with birth weight. Placental tissue of pregnant women was collected and levels of zinc, copper and iron were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass spectrometry. The level of glutathione (GSH) along with the metals was found to markedly decrease in study group, while MDA concentration was significantly higher as compared to control group. Glutathione was found to be positively associated with the levels of zinc and birth weight inspite of negative correlation being established between birth weight and MDA. Placental iron level was indicated to be constructive association with birth weight and was unlikely related with level of MDA. Our findings from the study group supports that damaged antioxidant defence mechanism status is well linked with elevated level of MDA and decreased concentrations of essential metals rendering lower birth weight in neonates.