Micronutrient levels in the cord blood of term neonates and its association with oxidative stress and neonatal anthropometry: a cross sectional study

Introduction: The key roles of micronutrients are centered on their catalytic functions in chemical reactions and their structural support for significant molecules, such as enzymes and hormones. Micronutrient deficiencies and oxidative stress have been linked to low birth weight. We aimed to study the relationships of cord blood zinc, magnesium, copper and iron and the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) with neonatal anthropometry. Methods: We enrolled sixty-four term neonates born via vaginal delivery. Micronutrients and MDA levels were estimated from the cord blood. Birth weight, length and head circumference were recorded. The chi-square test and the Pearson correlation coefficient were applied. Results: Thirteen (20.3%) neonates were small for gestational age. Among the subjects, 6.3% were zinc deficient, 48.4% were magnesium deficient, and 46.9% were iron deficient. The mean MDA level was 23.8 (±3.8) nmol/ml. There was no correlation between neonatal anthropometry and cord blood MDA. Iron was positively correlated with birth weight (r= 0.42, p= 0.001). Zinc (r= 0.39 p 0.001) and copper (r = 0.43 p <0.001) showed linear correlation with the MDA level, and magnesium was negatively correlated (r= 0.53 p <0.001). Conclusion: Cord blood iron levels inversely correlated with birth weight and head circumference, whereas other zinc, copper and magnesium did not show any correlation. Additionally, oxidative stress, measured by cord blood MDA levels, showed negative correlation with cord blood magnesium and positive correlation with zinc and copper.