Serum copper in newborns and their mothers.

Serum copper levels in the cord blood of 100 newborns and the respective maternal serum copper at the time of delivery was estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The cases were classified into term AGA, term SGA, term LGA, preterm AGA and preterm SGA. The mean maternal serum copper level 152.42 +/- 2.06 micrograms/dl) was significantly higher than the mean cord serum copper level (39.84 +/- 1.19 micrograms/dl). There was positive correlation between the maternal serum copper level and cord serum copper level. The mean serum copper level of term neonates was (44.42 +/- 1.26 micrograms/dl) significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that of preterm neonates (30.30 +/- 1.14 micrograms/dl). There was a positive correlation between cord serum cooper level and gestational age. The mean cord serum copper levels of term AGA, term SGA, preterm AGA and preterm SGA neonates was 45.42 +/- 1.44 ug/dl, 39.22 +/- 2.45 ug/dl, 31.00 +/- 2.11 ud/dl and 29.47 +/- 2.08 ug/dl respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean serum copper level of AGA and SGA group of both term and preterm neonates. The difference amongst mean maternal serum copper level of various neonatal groups was not significant.