RELATIONSHIP OF NEONATAL SERUM ZINC CONCENTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF T-CELL SUBSPECIES

Yang MJ, Shen YH

International Maternity and Child Health Hospital,

China Welfare Institute, Shanghai 200030 China

 

Objective: This study attempted to define the relationship of neonatal serum zinc concentration and distribution of T-cell subspecies.

Method: 47 preterm and 20 term babies were enrolled and divided into 3 groups according to their gastational age (GA) Group I: GA at 28-32 weeks, Group II: GA at 33-36 weeks and Group III include all of the term neonates that GA at 37-41 weeks. The blood sample was gotten after born and before eating milk. Serum zinc concentration was measured by atomic absorption methods, and T-cell subspecies by flowing cytometry.

Result: Serum zinc concentration of Group I (77±24ug/dl) is significantly lower than that of Group II (94±27ug/dl,p<0.05),and Group III(94±16ug/dl,p<0.05),the incidence of low zinc concentration was 35%. Rate of T-cell subspecies CD4+/CD8+ ratio of group I(1.45±0.53) was significantly lower than that of group II(1.78±0.47,p<0.05) and Group III(1.99±0.99,P<0.05); Lymphocite and T-cell account of Group I (4.61±1.80×109 /L;2.81±1.23×109 /L,) and GroupII(5.05±1.68×109 /L;2.95±1.34×109 /L)were significantly lower than that of Group III(6.00±1.36×109 /L,3.8±0.93×109 /L,p<0.05), CD4+T-cell level of 12 low zinc concentration cases(33.51±8.78%)lower than normal neonate Group(40.03±11.09%,p<0.05),and CD8+T-cell level (28.9±6.93%)was higher than that of normal baby Group(23.22±7.70%,p<0.05),the rate of CD4+/CD8+ decreased apparently(1.22±0.37) and lower significantly than that of normal Group(1.86±0.72,p<0.001)

Conclusion:   There is a good relationship between serum zinc concentration and GA, the smaller the GA, the lower of the serum zinc concentration, the higher the incidence of low serum zinc concentration. On the other hand, there is also a good relationship between distribution of T-cell subspecies and GA and the serum  zinc concentration. Suggestion was made that serum zinc concentration of preterm babies should be monitored especially smaller than 32 weeks.

 

Key word: Neonate serum zinc concentration T-cell distribution

 
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