ABSTRACT

  Background and Aim: Zinc is a trace element essential for normal human growth and development, and plays an important role in human reproduction. Subnormal plasma zinc level in pregnancy may play a role as a causative factor in PROM. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of subnormal zinc level in maternal plasma to premature rupture of membrane (PROM).

  Materials and Methods: This case control study encompassed 60 women with PROM (case group) and 60 healthy pregnant women without PROM (control group). In each group 30 women were at term and other 30 at the preterm stage of pregnancy. Plasma Zn levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. The type of sampling was simple and the questionnaires were filled out during interview and checklists of laboratory result tests were filled-in. The collected data were analyzed by means of SPSS-10 software and tests such as: Odds Ratio, CI, T-student and χ ² were used for statistical description and analysis. And p value of less than 0.05 considered significant.

  Results: Plasma zinc levels of mothers with premature rupture of membrane were significantly lower than those of the other group (p<0.05). Preterm and term maternal serum zinc levels did not show any significant difference (p>0.05). The relationship between maternal serum zinc level and mother`s education was statistically significant (p<0.05).

  Conclusion: The results of this study is suggestive of a possible role of zinc deficiency in term and preterm PROM cases. But more studies are required as to the necessity of taking zinc supplements in pregnancy.

  Key words: Pregnancy, Zinc, PROM