Comparison of serum levels of iron, zinc and copper in anaemic and non-anaemic pregnant women in China

Zinc and copper deficiency is associated with anaemia or iron deficiency and affects fetus growth and pregnant women during pregnancy. To examine iron, zinc and copper status of Chinese pregnant women with and without anaemia in the third trimester, 1185 subjects were enrolled for measurements of Hb, ferritin, transferrin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and serum iron, zinc and copper. The results showed that there were lower levels of ferritin (14.1 mug/L) and transferrin (3.33 g/L) in subjects with Hbless than or equal to100g/L as compared with subjects with Hbgreater than or equal to101g/L. sTfR levels in subjects with Hbless than or equal to100g/L were significantly higher than those in subjects with Hbgreater than or equal to120 g/L (38.5 nmol/L vs. 25.04 nmol/L, P<0.001). Serum iron was lower in subjects with HbL100g/L than those with Hb G120 g/L (871 μg/L vs. 990 μg/L, P<0.01). Lower levels of serum iron and zinc were also found in anaemic (Hb<110g/L) as compared with non-anaemic women (HbG110g/L). Frequencies of marginal deficiencies in serum iron and zinc were 41.58% and 51.05% respectively higher in anaemic than in non-anaemic subjects. Distribution of serum zinc and iron showed a deceasing trend as Hb decreased. Few anaemic as well as non-anaemic subjects had copper deficiency although copper and Hb levels were found inversely correlated and the ratio of copper/iron was higher in anaemic than in non-anaemic group. In conclusion, a lower level of serum zinc in anaemic pregnant women might be related to anaemia and iron deficiency during pregnancy. Therefore, combined zinc and iron supplementation should be recommended to Chinese pregnant women, especially those with anaemia.