• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.814-821
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to assess the maternal zinc status during pregnancy and to evaluate the relationship between the zinc concentration of maternal, umblical cord blood and placental tissue and pregnancy outcomes. Venous blood samples were drawn from 53 pregnant women just before delivery and the cord blood of their newborn babies was collected immediately after birth. In addition, placental tissues were extracted. We investigated the difference in the concentration of zinc in maternal, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue in two gestational age groups (preform delivery group [PT] and normal term delivery group [NT]) at 34.7 wk and 39.0 wk of mean gestational age, respectively). We also assessed correlations of the zinc concentration of maternal, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue. Lastly, we studied the correlations between the birth weights and the zinc concentration in the maternal, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue. The concentrations of maternal serum zinc and of umbilical cord serum zinc were significantly higher in the PT group (76.9$\pm$37.4 $\mu/dl$, 101.3$\pm$41.4 $\mu/dl$) than in those of the NT group (57.8$\pm$22.4 $\mu/dl$, 80.7$\pm$27.5 $\mu/dl$), respectively (p<0.05). The zinc concentration of the umbilical cord blood was significantly higher than that of the maternal blood in both groups (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between the gestational age and the serum zinc concentration in the cord or the maternal serum. Our results showed that there was a negative relationship between the birth weight (r=-0.286) and the maternal serum zinc concentration. Despite there not being a significant difference, there was tendency for the highest concentrations of maternal serum zinc to be associated with the lowest birth weights. These findings support a possible relationship between the maternal zinc status and the pregnancy outcome, and suggest that zinc may play a role in the many biological processes involved in the successful outcome of a pregnancy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.578-585
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• 2005

Maternal zinc deficiency is relatively common worldwide, but its consequences for pregnancy outcome are not established. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of zinc status in the second trimester on pregnancy outcome. Subjects were 248 pregnant Korean women (25-28 wk gestation). Cord blood was collected from subgroup of 69 women and pregnancy outcome data were obtained from 185 babies. Anthropometry measurement, dietary intake, and biochemical characteristics of pregnancy and cord serum substances were measured. The subjects were divided into quartiles on the basis of maternal serum Zn concentration; $ZnQ_1$ (< 25 percentile), $ZnQ_2$ ($26\~50$ percentile), $ZnQ_3$ ($51\~75$ percentile), and $ZnQ_4$ ($76\~100$ percentile). Zn groups were compared in terms of various maternal factors, concentrations of cord serum substances, and pregnancy outcome. Maternal serum Zn concentration was $118.4\;{\pm}\;35.5\;{\mu}g/dl$ as mean. Intake of Zn was lower than Korean RDA. The rate of Zn deficiency among all subjects was $8.5\%$. Maternal serum Zn levels belonged to normal range. Cord serum Zn level was about $154.7\%$ of maternal serum level. Intakes of energy, calcium, iron, folic acid, and riboflavin did not meet the Korean RDA for pregnant women by gestational age. The mean birth weight of neonates is 3083 $\pm$ 697 g, of whom $9.1\%$ were of low birth weight (< 2,500 g). Maternal serum Zn level was positively correlated with pre-pregnancy weight, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and vitamin C intake (p < 0.05). $ZnQ_1$ group had significantly lower maternal serum iron concentration and higher cord serum cholesterol than those in other groups. Maternal serum Zn level, cord serum Zn level, and dietary Zn intake were no related to the pregnancy outcome. The birth weight had a correlation with the maternal hemoglobin and albumin concentration. In conclusion, at this study, we could not find the association with maternal Zn status in 2nd trimester and pregnancy outcome.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.840-847
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• 2000

This study was out to evaluate the folate nutritional status of Korean pregnant women and to investigate the relationship between serum folate levels of maternal-umbilical cord blood and pregnancy outcomes. Folate intakes of the pregnants was estimated by dietary folate intakes obtained from semiquantitative frequency questionnaire and supplementary folate intakes. The serum folate levels in both maternal blood and umbilical cord of 29 pregnant women at delivery and 13 nonpregnant controls were measured by redioimmunoassay. The total folate intakes(dietary and supplementary)of the pregnant women was 465. 4$\mu\textrm{g}$/d which was 93% of the Korean RDA for folate. Maternal mean serum folate levels of the pregnants was 6.1$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, significantly lower than that of nonpregnant women(8.9ng/ml). Mean serumfolate level of umbilical cord blood was 14.2ng/ml, which was 2.3 folds higher than that of maternal blood. This finding indicates that the uptake of folate in the fetus may be due to an active placental transport mechanism. Maternal serum folate level correlated positively with that of umbilical cord blood, showing that folate concentration of umbilical cord blood is affected by maternal status. There was no significant correlation between the serum folate levels in maternal-umbilical cord blood and the pregnancy outcomes.(Korean J Nutrition 33(8) : 840-847, 2000)

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.860-868
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• 2005

Anemia diagnosed early in pregnancy is associated with increased risks of low birth weight and preform delivery. The purposes of this study were to assess the maternal iron status during pregnancy and to evaluate the relationships between the iron indices of maternal-umbilical cord serum iron and ferritin levels and pregnancy outcomes. Dietary intakes of the pregnant women were estimated by 24 hour-recall (3 times). Serum iron and ferritin levels in maternal blood and umbilical cord were measured at 1st-, 2nd-, 3rd- trimester and delivery, respectively. The mean of maternal se겨m iron levels of the trimester and delivery were $124.27\;{\mu}g/dl,\;97.03\;{\mu}g/dl,\;94.32\;{\mu}g/dl,\;and\;145.53\;{\mu}g/dl$. Those maternal levels were significantly lower than that of umbilical cord blood ($222.59\;{\mu}g/dl$). Serum ferritin levels of maternal trimester and delivery were 22.68 $22.68\;{\mu}g/l,\;11.09\;{\mu}g/l,\;14.18\;{\mu}g/l,\;and\;\;24.54\;{\mu}g/l$, which were significantly lower than those of umbilical cord blood ($184.35\;{\mu}g/l$) (p < 0.0001). This prevalence of anemia of total subjects was $30.3\%$ by WHO criteria (Hb < 11.0 g/dl, Hct < $33\%$). Iron levels of 2nd-trimester was significantly higher in the normal group than in the anemia group. And ferritin levels of 3rd-trimester and delivery was significantly higher in the normal group than in the anemia group. Therefore, we suggest for successful pregnancy outcome and delivery differential iron supplementation programs will be carried out with individual Pregnant women on the basis of pre-Pregnancy nutrition. (Korean J Community Nutrition 10(6) : $860\∼868$, 2005)

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the folate nutritional status of Korean pregnant women and to investigate the relation between folate levels of maternal-umbilical cord blood, placenta tissue, and pregnancy outcomes. The study subjects consisted of 25 pregnant women who have had normal term deliveries. Dietary folate intakes of the pregnants were estimated by semi quantitative frequency questionnaire and the serum and placenta tissue folate level was measured by microbiological analysis. The total folate intakes of the pregnant women was 655.6 ${\mu}$g/d, which was 131.1% of the Korean RDA for pregnants. Maternal serum folate level was 16.18ng/ml, which was significantly lower than that of umbilical cord blood (34.98ng/ml, p<0.05). Mean folate concentration of the placental tissue was 998.0ng/ml, which was the highest compared to maternal and umbilical cord serum level. Umbilical cord serum folate level and placental tissue folate level were highly influenced by maternal serum folate level. The umbilical cord folate levels of the infant group whose birth weight was higher than 3500g were significantly higher than the group whose birth weight was less than 3500g (p<0.05). The placental folate level was significantly higher in maternal group who showed desirable weight gain during pregnancy (11 - 14kg). In conclusion, the birth weigt was related to the umbilical cord folate level and the maternal weight gain was affected by the placental folate level.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.615-622
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• 2005

Folate and Vitamin $B_{12}$ are essential nutrients important during pregnancy. This study was conducted to evaluate the folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ nutritional status of Korean pregnant women and to investigate the relationship between maternal­umbilical cord serum folate and vitamin B12 levels and pregnancy outcomes. Dietary intakes of the pregnant women were estimated by 24 hour-recall (3 times). Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in maternal blood and umbilical cord of 27 pregnant women at 1'st-, 2'nd-, 3'rd-trimester and delivery were measured by RIA (radioimmuno assay), respectively. Means of folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ intake were $283.53\pm58.01{\mu}g/day\;and\; 2.99\pm1.32mg/day$, respectively. Maternal mean serum folate levels of the trimester and delivery were $9.75\pm3.60ng/ml,\;10.46\pm4.63ng/ml,\;10.71\pm4.14ng/ml\;and\;15.05\pm7.04ng/ml$. Those maternal levels were significantly lower than that of umbilical cord blood $(23.99\pm9.42ng/ml)$. Serum vitamin $B_{12}$ levels of maternal trimester and delivery were $479.07\pm137.56 pg/ml,\;310.96\pm137.56pg/ml,\;308.22\pm74.65pg/ml,\;and\;295.67\pm93.36pg/ml$, which were significantly lower than those of umbilical cord blood $(500.13\pm185.60ng/ml)$. This finding indicates that the uptake of folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ in the fetus may be due to an active placental transport mechanism. Maternal serum level correlated positively with those of umbilical cord blood, showing that folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration of umbilical cord blood might be affected by maternal status. There was no significant correlation between the serum folate levels in maternal-umbilical cord blood and the pregnancy outcomes. However, maternal vitamin $B_{12}$ level at l'st trimester was significant positive correlation between the gestational age except for birth weight and weight gain.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.182-188
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• 1999

A study was conducted on a group of 107 women, attending the three peripheral community clinics in Seoul and Kyunggi area for their prenatal care, to ascertain the relationship between maternal serum zinc concentration measured in pregnancy and several pregnancy outcomes. The serum zinc concentration was adjusted for estimated gestational age at the time of drawing blood. Mean daily zinc intake of the pregnant women estimated by a 24-hour recall method was 7.68$\pm$3.70$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, 51% of RDA. and mean serum zinc concentration of the women was 94.03$\pm$36.99ug/dl. Adjusted maternal serum zinc level was significantly related to gestational maternal weight gain(p<0.05) and infant birth weight(p<0.05). Pregnant women with tgreater than 9kg weight gain during the gestation period had higher adjusted serum zinc levels than the subjects with less than 8kg weight gain. Adjusted serum zinc levels of mothers who delivered 3.0-3.5kg and greater than 4.0kg birth-weight infants were higher than those of mothers of low-birth-weight infants. Any association between maternal serum zinc level and gestational length, complications and morning sickness was not observed. There results suggest that the maternal serum zinc level may predict perhaps the author could be none specific.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.817-824
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to analyze the intake of antioxidant vitamins and plasma TRAP concentrations of 60 maternal-infant pairs (30 in normal term delivery group, NT; 30 in preform group, PT) We also investigated the relationship between plasma TRAP levels of maternal-umbilical cord blood and pregnancy outcomes. Mean energy intakes of NT and PT pregnant women were 93.2% and 85.4% and their protein intakes were 113.3% and 110.9% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA), respectively. The vitamin A intakes of NT and W pregnant women were 559.7 RE and 497.8 RE, which were less than RDA. While the vitamin E and C intakes of both NT and PT pregnant women were more than RDA. The maternal plasma TRAP level of PT was 1.41 mmol/l and that of was 1.50 mmol/l, which was significantly higher than TRAP level of PT (p < 0.05) . The umblical cord plasma TRAP levels of NT and PT were 1.44 mmol/l and 1.23 mmol/l, which indicates the significant difference between those two groups (p < 0.001) . In case of comparing the TRAP level of maternal and umbilical cord blood, there was no significant difference in NT pregnant women, however, in PT group maternal the TRAP level significant higher than that of umbilical cord (p < 0.001). The length of gestation and plasma TRAP level of maternal and umbilical cord showed a positive correlation. However, other parameters of pregnancy outcomes such as birth weight, weight gain, and Apgar score were not affected by the plasma TRAP levels. Based on these results, preform infants could have a risk of oxidative stress because of low plasma TRAP level.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.467-475
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• 2006

The necessity of adequate pregnancy weight gain for optimal pregnancy outcome has been recognized. However, the specific components of pregnancy weight gain that might be critical for fetal growth and development have not been elucidated clearly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of pregnancy weight gain and birth weight with serum leptin levels in women delivered newborns. The subjects were recruited from K university hospital. The subject's characteristic data (age $32.1\;{\pm}\;4.3\;y$, gestational age $39.5\;{\pm}\;1.1wk$, pre-pregnancy weight $58.0\;{\pm}\;8.6\;kg$, pregnancy weight gain $12.7\;{\pm}\;5.5\;kg$, newborn's birth weight $3.5\;{\pm}\;0.5\;kg$) were gathered. Maternal dietary assessment was carried out at the end of pregnancy. After delivery, blood samples were collected from 20 mother-newborn pairs. Serum levels of various lipids and leptin were analyzed. Maternal daily consumption of iron, zinc, folate were lower than the RDA of each nutrient and index of nutritional quality was less than 1 showing that the quality of maternal diet was low. The levels of serum leptin of mothers and infants were $10.2\;{\pm}\;6.7\;ng/ml$ and $1.7\;{\pm}\;0.6\;ng/ml$, respectively. The serum leptin concentrations of male infants $(1.9\;{\pm}\;0.7\;ng\;ml)$ were not different from that of females $(1.7{\pm}0.5\;ng/ml)$. A negative correlation was found between the maternal pre-pregnant BMI and weight gain during pregnancy (r = -0.54, p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the pregnancy weight gain and the newborn's birth weight (r=0.59, p < 0.01 There were also positive correlation between newborn's birth weight and newborn's serum leptin levels (r = 0.57, p < 0.01). No correlations were found between maternal serum leptin levels and that of newborn's. Efforts should be made to attain adequate diet and weight gain during the pregnancy to reduce the likelihood of low or over birth weight of newborns.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.592-597
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• 1999

The purpose of this study were to determine the folate status of pregnant women living in kwangju, Korea and to assess the relationships between folate status and pregnancy outcome. Eighty-one women took part in the study: 26 in their first trimester of pregnancy, 23 in the second, and 32 in the final trimester. The folate intake data both from their diets and supplementasage was obtained using a 24-hour recall method and by measuring the use of supplements. Folate levels of serum and erythrocytes were determined by a microbiological assay using Lactovacillus casei(ATTC 7469) as the test organism. A series of determinations for pregnancy outcome was conducted, including birth weight, length, Apgar score at 5 min after birth, and gestational period. The dietary folate intake in each trimester was 118$\pm$85, 148$\pm$117, and 137$\pm$69ug/d, respectively. All levels were far below the Korean recommended diet allowances(RDA)for folate. Eighty-four percent of the subjects consumed supplemental folate after the 20th week of pregnancy until delivery. the supplemental folate intakes in the second and third trimester were 651$\pm$142 and 688$\pm$150ug/d, respectively. Therefore, the women who took folate supplements consumed more folate than the RDA. Serum folate levels for each trimester were 9.0$\pm$3.8, 11.4$\pm$6.0, and 16.3$\pm$11.0ng/ml respectively, greadually increasing as the pregnancy progressed; the serum folate level in the third trimester was significantly higher(p<0.05) than that in first trimester. The erythrocyte folate concentrations in each trimester were recorded as 369.8$\pm$108.8, 396.2$\pm$107.5, and 420$\pm$7 162.6ng/ml respectively. There was no significant differences among the erythrocyte folate concentrations unlike the serum folate levels. There was no significant difference among the erythrocyte folate concentrations unlike the serum folate levels. There was no signifcant correlation between trimester to be important in maintaining adequate folate status, however these results imply that the serum and erythrocyte folate levels were adequate to support the growth of the fetus.