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Trace element status and early physical growth of exclusively breastfed normal and asphyxiated Nigerian babies
O O Adeodu1, O A Jegede, G A Oyedeji
1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Insights
Babies with birth asphyxia showed slower growth and lower birth weight compared to controls. While trace element levels were similar, newborn copper concentrations were notably low.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Neonatal Research
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Birth asphyxia can impact infant development and nutritional status.
- Trace elements like iron, zinc, and copper are crucial for infant growth.
- Understanding the interplay between birth asphyxia and trace element status is vital for neonatal care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the physical growth patterns of infants experiencing birth asphyxia.
- To assess the plasma trace element (iron, zinc, copper) status in these infants.
- To compare growth and trace element status between asphyxiated infants and non-asphyxiated controls.
Main Methods:
- Serial anthropometric measurements were taken on 72 asphyxiated infants and 87 controls up to six months of age.
- Plasma concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) were measured in infants and their mothers post-delivery.
- Statistical comparisons were made between the asphyxiated and control groups.
Main Results:
- Asphyxiated infants were lighter than controls in the first two months and had a smaller occipito-frontal circumference at birth.
- Plasma Fe, Zn, and Cu levels were generally comparable between groups.
- Newborn copper concentrations were significantly lower than previously reported values.
Conclusions:
- Birth asphyxia is associated with initial growth deficits in infants.
- While overall trace element status was similar, a concerning trend of low newborn copper warrants further investigation.
- No overt signs of trace element deficiency were observed in any infant.
Abstract:
Serial anthropometry and assay of plasma iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were done on 72 babies with birth asphyxia during the first six months of life to assess the pattern of their physical growth and trace element status, respectively. Eighty-seven non-asphyxiated babies served as controls. The mothers of babies in both groups also had their plasma assayed for Fe, Zn and Cu immediately following delivery. Asphyxiated babies were lighter than non-asphyxiated controls during the first two months of life and they also had smaller mean occipito-frontal circumference at birth. While Fe, Zn and Cu status was generally comparable in both groups, the newborn Cu concentrations were very low compared with earlier reports. No baby showed any overt signs of trace element deficiency.
