Comparison of Zinc Level in Umbilical Cord Blood between the Preterm Neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Healthy Neonates

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is one of the most common causes of mortality in premature neonates and its prevalence is about one percent of all births worldwide. Zinc deficiency causes serious complications, such as low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction, and disruption in many vital organs such as the respiratory system. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare the zinc level in umbilical cord blood among premature neonates with RDS and healthy neonates.
In this case-control study, 40 preterm neonates with RDS were selected as case group and also 40 healthy neonates were selected as control group. After delivery and after cord clamping, a sample of blood from the umbilical artery was collected. All experiments were performed by an operator and by an automatic analyzer.
Findings: The mean zinc level in umbilical cord blood was 96.67 ± 16.45 and 109.07 ± 21.49 mmol/l in the patient and control groups, respectively (P = 0.005). There was a positive and significant association between the zinc level in umbilical cord blood and the age of the neonates (r = 0.23, P = 0.030). Similarly, a significant positive association was found between the weight of the neonates and the zinc level in umbilical cord blood (r = 0.22, P = 0.040).
The zinc level was significantly lower in infants with RDS than healthy neonates. Therefore, the improvement of zinc status in premature neonates may reduce the risk of RDS.