PLASMA TRACE-ELEMENT (SE, ZN, CU) CONCENTRATIONS IN MATERNAL AND UMBILICAL-CORD BLOOD IN POLAND - RELATION WITH BIRTH-WEIGHT, GESTATIONAL-AGE, AND PARITY

Selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) concentrations were determin ed in plasma of 64 mothers at delivery, 58 nonpregnant women, 64 neona tes, and 12 infants, aged 2-12 mo. Se and Zn concentrations in mothers at delivery were significantly lower, and Cu higher than in nonpregna nt 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 fullter m infants (n = 51). Maternal parity had no significant influence on th e distribution of plasma trace element levels. No significant differen ces were observed in Se and Zn levels in maternal and cord blood plasm a according to birth weight, contrary to maternal Cu concentration. Si gnificant correlations were found between maternal and cord blood Se c ontent, and between maternal plasma Cu concentration and birth weight of neonates.