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Serum zinc level in preterm low birth weight babies and its comparison between preterm AGA and preterm SGA babies
M N Islam1, M W Ullah, M Siddika
1Department of Paediatrics, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh. mnislamdr1@yahoo.com
Insights
Low birth weight (LBW) poses a significant threat to infant survival in Bangladesh. This study found serum zinc levels were low in preterm infants, suggesting supplementation may aid growth.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Health
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) is a critical public health issue in Bangladesh, significantly impacting neonatal mortality.
- Persistent LBW presents a severe challenge to child health and survival, often termed a silent emergency.
- Neonatal mortality rates are disproportionately high among LBW infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum zinc levels in preterm infants categorized by gestational age and growth parameters.
- To compare serum zinc concentrations between preterm appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) neonates.
- To explore the potential role of zinc in the early growth of preterm LBW infants.
Main Methods:
- An observational study conducted at Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Bangladesh (July 2004-June 2005).
- Serum zinc levels were measured using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry in two groups: preterm AGA (n=50) and preterm SGA (n=50) neonates.
- Statistical comparison of serum zinc levels between groups was performed using the Student's t-test.
Main Results:
- Serum zinc levels were observed to be within the lower limit of the normal range for both preterm AGA (60.2+/-15.2) and preterm SGA (62.1+/-12.4) infants.
- Preterm AGA infants exhibited slightly lower serum zinc levels compared to preterm SGA infants.
- The observed difference in serum zinc levels between the two groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
- Serum zinc levels are low in both preterm AGA and SGA neonates in the study population.
- Zinc supplementation could potentially promote the growth of preterm LBW infants during their initial months of life.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the efficacy of zinc supplementation for improving growth outcomes in preterm LBW infants.
Abstract:
Low birth weight (LBW) is a major child health problem in Bangladesh and continuing to great threat to child health and child survival in Bangladesh. LBW is a silent emergency but crisis is real and its persistence has profound and frightening impact on neonatal mortality. This observational study was conducted in Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh during July 2004 to June 2005. Serum zinc levels were estimated between two groups: group-I preterm AGA (n=50), group II preterm SGA (n=50) babies. Blood samples were collected from the study population in neonatal unit and serum zinc levels were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry in Atomic Energy Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Observed data were made comparison among groups by Students 't' test. It was observed serum zinc level (60.2+/-15.2) in group I and (62.1+/-12.4) in group II. Serum zinc level was in lower limit of normal range in both groups with more lower level in preterm AGA babies but their difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). So zinc supplementation may enhance the growth of preterm LBW babies in their early months of lives.
