A few published data on maternal and cord levels of zinc and copper with conflicting results were reported. We aimed to measure zinc and copper levels in the maternal blood and cord blood of newborns and correlate their levels with the gestational age and anthropometric measurements. This cross-sectional study included 75 full-term and preterm neonates and their mothers. These neonates were divided into 2 groups according to their gestational age. Serum levels of copper and zinc were estimated for the mothers of the studied neonates as well as their cord samples. This was done using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean cord serum zinc in full term was 0.88 ± 0.18 μg/ml whereas in preterms was 0.73 ± 0.13 μg/ml. The mean cord copper in full term was 1.37 ± 0.26 μg/ml, whereas in preterms was 0.75 ± 0.28 μg/ml. Comparison between cord zinc and copper levels and maternal levels were statistically significant (p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between zinc levels in neonates and their mothers (r 0.644; p < 0.000) and a similar positive correlation was found between copper levels in neonates and their mothers (r 0.625; p 0.000). A highly significant positive correlation was found between cord zinc and copper and anthropometric measurements. The present work draws our attention to the significant correlation between trace elements in pregnant mothers and fetal development. Also, prematurity adversely influences zinc and copper levels in neonates.

中文翻译：

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不同孕龄下锌和铜的脐带水平与母体血清水平的关系

据报道，有关锌和铜的母体和脐带水平的一些公开数据，结果相互矛盾。我们旨在测量新生儿母血和脐带血中的锌和铜水平，并将它们的水平与胎龄和人体测量学相关联。这项横断面研究包括75名足月和早产新生儿及其母亲。这些新生儿根据其胎龄分为两组。估计了所研究新生儿的母亲及其脐带样本的血清铜和锌水平。这是使用原子吸收分光光度法完成的。足月平均脐带血锌为0.88±0.18μg/ ml，而早产为0.73±0.13μg/ ml。足月平均脐带铜为1.37±0.26μg/ ml，而早产儿为0.75±0.28μg/ ml。脐带锌和铜水平与母体水平之间的比较具有统计学意义（p <0.001）。新生儿及其母亲的锌水平之间存在显着的正相关（r 0.644； p <0.000），而新生儿及其母亲的铜水平之间也存在类似的正相关（r 0.625； p 0.000）。发现脐带锌和铜与人体测量之间存在高度显着的正相关。目前的工作提请我们​​注意孕妇中微量元素与胎儿发育之间的显着相关性。同样，早产会对新生儿的锌和铜水平产生不利影响。644；p <0.000），并且新生儿和母亲的铜水平之间存在相似的正相关（r = 0.625； p 0.000）。在脐带锌和铜与人体测量之间发现高度显着的正相关。目前的工作提请我们​​注意孕妇中微量元素与胎儿发育之间的显着相关性。同样，早产会对新生儿的锌和铜水平产生不利影响。644；p <0.000），并且新生儿和母亲的铜水平之间存在相似的正相关（r = 0.625； p 0.000）。在脐带锌和铜与人体测量之间发现高度显着的正相关。目前的工作提请我们​​注意孕妇中微量元素与胎儿发育之间的显着相关性。同样，早产会对新生儿的锌和铜水平产生不利影响。