Serum levels of iron, zinc and copper in pregnant women assisted in the public health network in northern Brazil - doi: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v34i1.9953

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze serum levels of minerals iron, zinc and copper in pregnant women. The methodology used was a cross-sectional cohort study of a random sample of 663 pregnant women selected among expectant mothers receiving prenatal care from the public health network in the city of Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil. Each pregnant woman was interviewed about her health condition, and blood samples were collected for analysis. Serum levels of iron, copper and zinc were analyzed through the automated spectrophotometric or atomic absorption spectroscopy methods. A comparative analysis of the analyzed minerals was performed on different parameters of the pregnant women, such as mother’s age, gestational age and body mass index prior to pregnancy. The results showed that 36.9% of pregnant women had serum levels below the recommended values for zinc; this result was also observed in 25.4% of expectant mothers for iron, and 22.1% for copper. The data on copper and iron deficiency were significant as gestational age advanced. The study suggests a representative deficiency of these elements in this population, which needs be better investigated in order to drive public policies aimed at eradicating these possible nutritional deficiencies.