Zinc status in pregnancies associated with neural tube defects in Turkey

The present study was carried out to further assess the maternal zinc statu s of mothers who previously gave birth to NTD babies. In order to assess th e zinc status; 54 women who gave birth to NTD babies were compared to 15 co ntrols. Zinc levels were assessed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer Pe rkin Elmer Model 2380. Although there was no statistically significant diff erence between plazma zinc levels; hair zinc levels of the NTD mothers were found to be significantly reduced indicating a chronic zinc deficiency sta te. Oral zinc tolerance test (OZTT) was performed in NTD mothers and contro ls. Although there was no marked difference at the AUC(4) values between th e two groups, NTD women showed a curve indicating a chronic zinc deficiency state. Six of the NTD mothers had flat zinc absorption curves. Their intes tinal biopsies were within normal limits. these women were supplemented wit h ZnSO4. 7H(2)O, 2mg/kg/day for 6 months. Twelve women who had also normal folate and Vit B-12 but low zinc levels were also supplemented with Zinc su lphate. Total of 16 women including four women with defective OZTT had give n birth to 16 normal babies. 12 of the 16 were evaluated by X-ray and five had CSB (41.6 %). Previous data and our findings are evidence for the possi ble role of zinc at least in some of the mothers with NTD babies.