Determination of serum copper concentration in pregnancy at term, using potentiometric stripping analysis (P.S.A.)

The serum copper concentrations were determined in a group of 41 pregnant women and in a group of 30 non-pregnant women used as a control-group. The determinations were made by Potentiometric Stripping Analysis (P.S.A.) a method much cheaper but equally reliable to others used for determination of bioelements. The levels of copper in serum were found significantly lower in both groups [control group: (mean +/- S.D.): 0.56 +/- 0.16 mg/l, pregnant women, (mean +/- S.D.): 1.77 +/- 0.47 mg/l] than the levels referred in studies from other countries. This finding in combination with the obvious advantages of the P.S.A. method, allow us to propose copper determination as a routine examination during pregnancy, in order to make an early diagnosis and manage a possible copper deficiency in pregnant women, accordingly.