Copper and zinc levels in maternal and fetal cord blood.

Serum copper and zinc were estimated in 44 mothers and their cord blood at term. The results were compared with 40 age-matched non-pregnant females and 67 males. The mean serum copper in the nonpregnant female group and in males was 114.6 (SD 30.43) and 111.3 (SD 30.79) micrograms/dl, whereas in mothers immediately after delivery it was 135.3 (+/- 26.26) micrograms/dl, which was significantly higher than the female control group (P less than 0.01). In fetal cord blood, it was 35% as compared to maternal blood. Serum zinc in control females and males was 112.8 (+/- 11.94) and 109.9 (+/- 15.69) micrograms/dl, respectively. In mothers it was 102.9 (+/- 17.04) micrograms/dl which was significantly lower than the female controls. In fetal cord blood, it was 98.6 (+/- 12.10) micrograms/dl. No significant difference could be obtained between maternal serum zinc and cord blood levels.