SMALL BABIES
Zinc is an essential trace mineral. It is considered a growth factor as it isthe metallic component of enzymes DNA polymerase, DNA dependent RNA polymerase and thymidine kinase.Objective: To find out the relationship of maternal serum zinc levels with birth weight of the babies. Period: January1989 to May, 1991. Setting: Lady Wellingdon Hospital Lahore, King Edward College, Lahore and MetallurgyDepartment PCSIR Laboratories, Lahore. Design: Prospective study Patients & methods: Among the 216 registeredpregnant women 46 subjects had no feto-maternal complications during pregnancy and they delivered babies havingbirth weight adequate for Gestational Age (AGA). Thirteen women gave birth to babies Small for Gestational Age(SGA). Blood samples were taken at the end of each trimester and serum zinc was measured by atomic absorptionspectrophotometer. Results: Serum zinc levels were significantly low (P<0.001) throughout pregnancy in women givingbirth to SGA babies. Conclusion: Serum zinc levels throughout the course of pregnancy are associated with intrauterinegrowth of the babies.b