Liver reserves of iron, copper, and vitamin B12 in Brazilian fetuses and infants of different socioeconomic status.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the stage of fetal development and of maternal socioeconomic status on liver concentrations and total liver reserves of iron, copper, and vitamin B12 in Brazilian fetuses and infants. Eighty fetuses and infants ranging from 19 to 42 wk of gestational age were studied. Liver concentrations of nutrients did not vary significantly with the stage of fetal development. Therefore, increases in total liver reserves during development were caused mainly by increases in liver weight. There were significant correlations between total liver reserves of vitamin B12 and iron (r = 0.742, p < 0.001), vitamin B12 and copper (r = 0.444, p < 0.001), and iron and copper (r = 0.431, p < 0.001). Maternal socioeconomic status did not affect liver nutrient concentrations or total hepatic levels at any stage of fetal development.