Muhammad Ashraf, Muhammad Nasarullah Khan, Muhammad Ayub Khan, Zamir Ahmad, Tariq Ferroz Khawaja, Abdul Salam.
Small babies.
Professional Med J Jan ;12(3):336-9.

Zinc is an essential trace mineral. It is considered a growth factor as it is the metallic component of enzymes DNA polymerase, DNA dependent RNA polymerase and thymidine kinase. Objective: To find out the relationship of maternal serum zinc levels with birth weight of the babies. Period: January 1989 to May, 1991. Setting: Lady Wellingdon Hospital Lahore, King Edward College, Lahore and Metallurgy Department PCSIR Laboratories, Lahore. Design: Prospective study Patients & methods: Among the 216 registered pregnant women 46 subjects had no feto-maternal complications during pregnancy and they delivered babies having birth weight adequate for Gestational Age (AGA). Thirteen women gave birth to babies Small for Gestational Age (SGA). Blood samples were taken at the end of each trimester and serum zinc was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Serum zinc levels were significantly low (P<0.001) throughout pregnancy in women giving birth to SGA babies. Conclusion: Serum zinc levels throughout the course of pregnancy are associated with intrauterine growth of the babies

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