[Zinc and pregnancy].

Zinc, an essential trace element, plays a critical role in normal growth and development, cellular integrity and many biological functions, including protein synthesis and nucleic acid metabolism. Since all these are involved in cell division and growth, zinc is believed to be important for foetal growth and development. Zinc requirement is increased during pregnancy but the lack of a valid indicator precludes a true estimate of zinc deficiency in pregnancy even in developed countries. This review examines the possibility that a gestational deficiency of zinc can adversely affect the pregnancy outcome. Preliminary human data suggest a beneficial effect of prenatal zinc supplementation trials in particular on infant's neurobehavioral development. In the light of the currently available information, zinc supplementation at therapeutic load (30 mg/day) as it is proposed for the treatment of hormonal skin disorders to adolescents, cannot be toxic.