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Reference values for selected trace elements in serum of term newborns from the urban area of Rome
A Alimonti1, F Petrucci, F Laurenti
1Applied Toxicology Laboratory, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
Insights
This study establishes reference ranges for essential trace elements in newborn serum from Rome. Copper and Selenium levels correlate with gestational age and birth weight, respectively.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Trace Element Analysis
Background:
- Establishing reference ranges for trace elements in newborns is crucial for assessing health and environmental exposures.
- Limited data exists for specific elements in cord blood serum of term infants in urban populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine reference values for 11 elements (Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Zn) and indicative intervals for Sb in cord blood serum.
- To investigate correlations between elemental concentrations, gestational age, and birth weight in term newborns.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 143 term newborns in Rome meeting specific gestational age and birth weight criteria.
- Elemental concentrations were measured using analytical techniques, and data distribution was assessed.
- Statistical analyses were performed to determine reference values and explore correlations.
Main Results:
- Reference values (ng/ml) were established for Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, and Zn, with an indicative range for Sb.
- Data for most elements approximated a normal distribution, except for Cd, Li, Ni, and Sb.
- Significant positive correlations were found between Copper (Cu) and gestational age (GA), and Selenium (Se) and birth weight (BW).
Conclusions:
- The study provides essential reference data for trace elements in cord blood of healthy term newborns in Rome.
- Findings highlight the relationship between certain elemental concentrations and infant growth parameters.
- Further research is needed to interpret complex inter-elemental associations observed in the study.
Abstract:
Reference values for Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se and Zn, and indicative intervals for Sb are proposed in serum from cord blood of 143 term newborns of the urban area of Rome. On the basis of the eligibility criteria adopted, only babies with gestational age > 37 weeks and body weight at the delivery > 2500 g, i.e., "normal" term infants, were included in this study. With the exception of Cd, Li, Ni and Sb, experimental data for each of the other analytes were found to approach a normal distribution. The estimated references values (in ng/ml) were the following: Al, 1. 12-6.79; Cd, 0.10-0.52; Co, 0.20-0.43; Cu, 140-691; Li, 0.31-2.23; Mn, 0.79-3.26; Mo, 0.36-1.56; Ni, 0.20-3.15; Rb, 196-1302; Sb, 0. 10-1.48 (indicative range); Se, 20.2-69.7; and Zn, 318-1405. For several elements, the information available in the relevant literature does not allow adequate comparisons to be performed. This was actually possible only for Cu, Se and Zn. The correlations between the weights at birth (BW), gestational ages (GA) and elemental concentrations were elucidated. As expected, significant positive correlations were found for Cu and Se with GA and BW, respectively. Strong mutual associations were observed for several other elements, but their interpretation is still debatable.