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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells
Published on: May 16, 2019
Peripheral blood leucocyte zinc depletion in babies with intrauterine growth retardation
Insights
Infants with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) show depleted zinc levels in their white blood cells. This zinc deficiency is more severe in prolonged IUGR cases, suggesting a link to maternal zinc status.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Trace Element Metabolism
Background:
- Zinc is vital for fetal development and immune function.
- Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is associated with various nutritional deficiencies.
- Peripheral blood leucocytes are accessible indicators of cellular nutrient status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify zinc levels in leucocytes of neonates with and without IUGR.
- To compare zinc status between preterm infants and those with IUGR.
- To investigate the potential link between fetal zinc depletion and maternal zinc status.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of zinc concentration in peripheral blood leucocytes from cord blood samples.
- Comparison of leucocyte zinc content across three groups: normal, preterm, and IUGR infants.
- Statistical analysis to determine significant differences in zinc levels.
Main Results:
- Leucocyte zinc levels were significantly lower in infants with acute IUGR (47.8 ng/mg dry weight) compared to controls (51.5 ng/mg dry weight).
- Prolonged IUGR cases exhibited the most severe leucocyte zinc depletion (43.2 ng/mg dry weight).
- Preterm infants showed normal leucocyte zinc levels (51.9 ng/mg dry weight), similar to controls.
Conclusions:
- Fetal tissue zinc depletion, indicated by leucocyte zinc levels, is present in infants with IUGR.
- The severity of zinc depletion correlates with the duration of IUGR.
- Maternal zinc depletion is a likely cause of fetal zinc depletion in IUGR, potentially reflecting reduced whole-body zinc status.
Abstract:
The zinc content of peripheral blood leucocytes from the cord blood of 63 normal and 20 preterm babies, and of 27 babies with evidence of idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) was measured. Leucocyte zinc depletion was present in babies with acute IUGR (IUGR babies compared with controls, mean 47.8 v 51.5 ng zinc/mg dry weight), but was especially severe in those with prolonged IUGR (mean 43.2 ng zinc/mg dry weight), while preterm babies were normal (mean 51.9 ng zinc/mg dry weight). We suggest that this fetal tissue zinc depletion is caused by maternal zinc depletion, and may reflect a reduction of whole body zinc status.
