Objective To examine the levels of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) in maternal and cord serum in a hospital in Weifang of Shandong Province, and assess their relationships with dietary factors in pregnancy.
Methods A total of 205 mother-infant pairs admitted to a Weifang hospital of Shandong Province for institutional delivery were recruited during September 2011 and April 2012. We measured the Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, and Fe levels in samples of maternal-cord serum pairs. We also surveyed pregnant women by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire regarding vegetables, fruits, meat, and aquatic, dairy, and bean products. Spearman's rank correlation method was used to test the correlation among serum mineral variables. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine possible associations between serum minerals with food frequencies during pregnancy.
Results The median levels of Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, and Fe in maternal (cord) serum were 76.52 (95.30), 18.97 (22.48), 0.62 (1.04), 1.99 (0.35), and 1.43 (4.93) mg/L, respectively. The maternal serum levels of Ca and Cu were lower than those of the general population, whereas the cord serum Cu level was lower than that of the general population. The levels of Ca (r=0.151, P=0.031) and Cu (r=0.200, P=0.040) in maternal serum were positively correlated to those in cord serum by Spearman's rank correlation analysis. According to the results of logistic regression model, intakes of vegetables, eggs, bean products during pregnancy were protective factors for maternal serum Zn, Mg, and Fe concentrations respectivelyOR(95%CI)=4.571 (1.305-16.005), 11.450 (1.054-124.118), 2.903 (1.122-7.510); intake of vegetables during pregnancy was a protective factor for cord serum Zn concentrationOR(95%CI)=4.046 (1.141-14.343); intake of dairy products was a risk factor for maternal and corm serum concentrations of ZnOR(95%CI)=0.281 (0.084-0.944), 0.14 (0.021-0.952); intake of vegetables was a risk factor for maternal and corm serum concentrations of CuOR(95%CI)=0.242 (0.069-0.848), 0.236 (0.063-0.880).
Conclusion The maternal serum levels of Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, and Fe are associated with food frequencies during pregnancy. Pregnancy women should improve diet to increase intakes of various elements.
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