Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes
03:19

Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes

Published on: June 28, 2024

Maternal selenium, copper and zinc concentrations in pregnancy associated with small-for-gestational-age infants

Hiten D Mistry1, Lesia O Kurlak, Scott D Young

  • 1Division of Women's Health, King's College London, Women's Health Academic Centre, KHP, London, UK Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK Departments of Obstetrics/Gynecology & Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Maternal & Child Nutrition
|July 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Adolescent mothers delivering small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants had lower plasma selenium. Smoking and ethnicity also impacted selenium levels, suggesting a link between maternal selenium and infant birth weight.

Area of Science:

  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Adolescent Medicine

Background:

  • Adolescent pregnancy is associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes, including small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth.
  • Micronutrient deficiencies are linked to SGA, and smoking may further lower nutrient levels.
  • Ethnic variations in micronutrient status during adolescent pregnancy have not been extensively studied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate maternal plasma selenium, copper, and zinc concentrations in relation to SGA birth in adolescent mothers.
  • To compare micronutrient levels between adolescent mothers based on smoking status and ethnicity.
  • To explore the potential role of selenium in adverse pregnancy outcomes among adolescents.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective observational study of 126 pregnant adolescents (14-18 years) was conducted.
  • Maternal plasma micronutrient status (selenium, copper, zinc) was measured using inductively coupled mass spectrometry.
  • Infant size (SGA vs. appropriate-for-gestational-age), maternal smoking, and ethnicity were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Adolescent mothers who delivered SGA infants had significantly lower plasma selenium concentrations compared to those with appropriate-for-gestational-age infants (P < 0.0001).
  • Maternal smoking was associated with lower selenium levels (P = 0.01).
  • Afro-Caribbean women exhibited higher plasma selenium concentrations than White European women (P = 0.02). Copper and zinc levels did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusions:

  • Low maternal plasma selenium concentration may increase the risk of SGA birth in adolescent mothers, potentially by impairing placental antioxidant defense and fetal growth.
  • Observed ethnic differences in selenium levels suggest variations in nutritional intake that warrant further investigation.
  • Selenium status is an important consideration in adolescent pregnancies, particularly concerning SGA risk and ethnic disparities.

Keywords:
adolescencemicronutrientssmall-for-gestational-age

More Related Videos

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes08:45

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes

Published on: May 10, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...