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Abstract
Background/aims. To investigate the effect of the mode of delivery on maternal-neonatal Mg and Zn levels. Material and methods. Two groups of pregnant women participated in the study: Group A (n = 16) with normal labor and vaginal delivery and group B (n = 14) with scheduled cesarean section (CS). Blood was obtained at the beginning of the labor, immediately after delivery and from the umbilical cord (CB). Serum Mg and Zn were measured with atomic absorption spectroscopy and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels with a chemical autoanalyser. Results. Mg, Zn and TAS levels were similar pre-delivery in both groups. TAS levels, Mg (0.81 ± 0.09 vs 0.69 ± 0.03 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and Zn levels (9.34 ± 0.37 vs 5.74 ± 0.24 μmol/L, p < 0.001) were significantly decreased after vaginal delivery. These biochemical parameters were measured practically unaltered at the same times of study in group B. The mineral levels did not differ in the CB of both groups. Conclusions. The decreased maternal Mg, Zn and TAS levels post vaginal delivery may be due to the participation of skeletal and uterus muscles and the similar levels of the minerals in the CB of neonates to the placental protection.
Acknowledgements
Funding was received from Athens University to Dr Ioannis Papassotiriou. The funding source played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the report for publication.
The authors are very grateful to Mrs Anna Stamatis for her careful typing of this manuscript.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.