Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
13:13

Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia

Published on: August 24, 2011

Associations of maternal and neonatal serum trace element concentrations with neonatal birth weight

Shinya Tsuzuki1, Nao Morimoto, Shinichi Hosokawa

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Plos One
|October 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Maternal serum selenium levels are lower in mothers of premature infants. Lower selenium in mothers and newborns may impact birth weight, suggesting selenium

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal nutrition and trace element metabolism.
  • Perinatal health and developmental outcomes.

Background:

  • Trace elements are crucial for neonatal nutrition.
  • Investigating differences in maternal and neonatal trace element levels between term and preterm infants is important.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare maternal and neonatal serum trace element concentrations (iron, zinc, copper, selenium) between infants born at term and prematurely.
  • To identify predictors of birth weight, including maternal and neonatal trace element levels.

Main Methods:

  • Serum samples from 44 mothers and their infants were analyzed for iron, zinc, copper, and selenium 5 days postpartum.
  • Infants were categorized into term (≥37 weeks, ≥2500g) and preterm (<37 weeks or <2500g) groups.
  • Linear regression models were used to assess the association between trace elements and birth weight.

Main Results:

  • Preterm infants and their mothers had significantly lower serum selenium concentrations compared to the term group.
  • No significant differences in neonatal or maternal iron, zinc, or copper levels were observed between groups.
  • Maternal serum selenium concentration was a significant positive predictor of infant birth weight.

Conclusions:

  • Lower serum selenium concentrations are observed in preterm infants and their mothers.
  • Maternal serum selenium levels are positively correlated with neonatal birth weight.
  • Maternal selenium status may play a role in influencing fetal growth and birth weight.
Abstract

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...
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...