Selected Maternal, Fetal and Placental Trace Element and Heavy Metal and Maternal Vitamin Levels in Preterm Deliveries With or Without Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes

Abstract

Aim: To compare maternal, fetal and placental trace element (magnesium, zinc and copper) and heavy metal (cadmium and lead) and maternal vitamin (retinol, alpha [alpha]-tocopherol, vitamin D-3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3) levels in preterm deliveries with and without preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Methods: Sixty-eight patients giving birth preterm were grouped into preterm deliveries with PPROM (n = 35) and without PPROM (n = 33). Following delivery, maternal and umbilical cord blood sera and placental tissue samples were obtained. While magnesium, zinc, copper, cadmium and lead levels were measured in all samples, the levels of retinol, -tocopherol, vitamin D-3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 were measured only in maternal serum. Results: While magnesium level in maternal serum and zinc levels in both maternal and umbilical cord sera were lower, placental magnesium level was higher in preterm deliveries with PPROM (P < 0.01). Umbilical cord serum magnesium, placental tissue zinc and maternal and umbilical cord sera and placental tissue copper, cadmium, and lead levels did not differ between the groups (P > 0.05). In preterm deliveries with PPROM, 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 and retinol levels were higher, while vitamin D-3 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 levels were lower in maternal serum (P < 0.05). Maternal serum -tocopherol levels were similar between the groups. Conclusion: Compared to spontaneous preterm births, PPROM is associated with low maternal serum together with high placental tissue magnesium and low maternal and umbilical cord sera zinc levels. Higher retinol and 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 and lower vitamin D-3 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 maternal serum levels are also evident in these patients.