Serum and hair zinc levels of infants and their mothers

ObjectivesThis cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the zinc status of mothers and their infants attending a well-child clinic.MethodsBlood and hair samples were collected from infants and their mothers at 2nd, 6th,12th month after delivery. Information on infant and their mothers’ dietary habits was gathered.ResultsOf all infants and their mothers, 54.6% and 12.6% had low hair zinc levels; 17% and 4.6% low serum zinc levels respectively. There was a positive relationship between mother's hair zinc level and her meat consumption at 2 and 6 months after delivery.ConclusionA significant number of infants and mothers had low hair zinc levels. Hair zinc concentrations of infants decreased significantly towards the end of first year. This may be due to low zinc intake of mothers. The main contribution of our study to the literature was the positive relationship between the red meat intake and maternal hair zinc levels.

► Zinc is essential for normal fetal growth and for milk production during lactation.
► The nutritional zinc deficiency is widely prevalent in the developing world.
► The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the zinc status of Turkish mothers and their infants attending a well-child clinic.
► Blood and hair samples were collected from infants and their mothers at 2nd, 6th,12th month after delivery.
► A significant number of infants and mothers had low hair and zinc levels in our study.