Serum Zinc Deficiency Test, Its Importance and Prevention during Pregnancy

Abstract: Because zinc is so important across numerous functions, a deficiency of it can cause a host of problems. Zinc deficiency during pregnancy can negatively affect both the mother and fetus. A healthy, balanced diet can help provide necessary minerals and vitamins. Zinc deficiency is caused by inadequate levels of zinc in the diet. It also plays a role in carbohydrate breakdown (which supplies energy), as well as in cell growth, division and reproduction. Medical tests can determine whether our body fluids contain high levels of zinc. Samples of blood or feces can be collected in a doctor's office and sent to a laboratory that can measure zinc levels. 500 samples for this study were taken from May 2011 until December 2012, at the University Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology "Queen Geraldine " in Tirana, Albania. These was a random selection of these samples and groups obtained from this study resulted in normal pregnant women (control group) and high risk pregnant women, from first to third trimester of pregnancy. During this period we studied the clinical cartels of each pregnant woman, in the premises of the hospital archives, to differentiate cases according to hospitalization diagnoses, maternal age, phetus age etc. Laboratory work for this study was done at the “Public Health Institution ” in Tirana, usin