DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i02.086

Pages: 966-968

Zinc is an important trace element that plays an important role in metabolism, growth, development and reproduction. Its requirement increases in pregnancy. The study was designated to evaluate zinc status of normal pregnant women compared with that of non-pregnant controls. Present study included 50 healthy non-pregnant controls and 50 normal pregnant women attending Govt. Medical College and Hospital Nagpur. The fasting blood sample were collected and analyzed by standard method on semi-auto-analyzer. The mean levels of zinc were calculated in both cases and controls. The statistical analysis was done which revealed significantly (p < 0.01) low serum levels (3.05+1.44 micro moles/L) of zinc in normal pregnant women as compared to controls (6.01 + 1.15 micro moles/L). During pregnancy the demand of zinc is increased which if not met leads to congenital malformations. Considering the severe impact of zinc deficiency our study reinforce the consumption of zinc rich diet or zinc supplementation during second and third trimester of pregnancy.