Background Preterm birth is still a global burden particularly in Indonesia. The suboptimal concentration of certain micronutrients and heavy metals is hypothesized to play a role in the mechanism of preterm birth. Objective This study aimed to analyze the micronutrients and heavy metals concentrations between subjects with term and preterm birth. Design A cross-sectional study was conducted during January–June 2017 in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital and Budi Kemuliaan Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. Subjects were divided into term and preterm birth groups. The measured outcomes were maternal serum, placental, and blood cord concentration of zinc, copper, iron, selenium, manganese, mercury, lead, AtRA, and 25(OH)D. Results A total of 51 pregnant women participated in this study. Term group had higher concentration of maternal serum AtRA (0.22 ± 0.07 ng/mL versus 0.12 ± 0.03 ng/mL, p <0.001), higher placental concentration of manganese {0.99 (0.38 – 1.78) μg/g versus 0.42 ± 0.18 μg/g, p <0.001}, iron (252.16 ± 170.61 μg/g versus 78.45 ± 51.73 μg/g, p <0.001), copper {2.96 ± 1.80 μg/g versus 1.62 (0.70 – 3.88) μg/g, p 0.019}, zinc {58.34 (27.88 – 124.05) μg/g versus 28.41 (1.46 – 137.69) μg/g, p 0.011}, selenium (0.31 ± 0.31 ng/g versus 0.14 ± 0.20 ng/g, p 0.024), AtRA {21.7 ± 10.69 ng/g versus 0.7 (0.42 – 5.10) ng/g, p <0.001}, and 25(OH)D {75.84 ± 45.12 ng/g versus 18.00 (5 – 88) ng/g, p <0.001}, lower placental concentration of mercury (0.20 ± 0.17 ng/g versus 20.47 ± 41.35 ng/g, p 0.019) and lead (0.02 ± 0.01 ng/g versus 0.81 ± 1.43 ng/g, p 0.009), and higher cord blood concentration of copper {32.20 (16.30 – 69.60) μg/dL versus 20.60 (5.80 – 53.30) μg/dL, p 0.006} and AtRA (0.16 ± 0.04 versus 0.07 ± 0.01, p <0.001). Conclusion Preterm birth is associated with lower concentrations of micronutrients which play a role in antioxidant mechanism, as well as higher concentration of mercury and lead.

ABSTRAK ABSTRACTBackground: Maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy is important for a healthy pregnancy outcome. According to National Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) 2013, 24.2% of pregnant women are at risk of chronic malnutrition and 37.1% of them suffer from anemia. The aim of this study was to obtain information about the nutrient intake and serum micronutrient status in the first trimester of pregnant women in Jakarta.

Background: The beneficial effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) on maternal health have been widely investigated in pregnant women. First-trimester supplementation of LCPUFA has been reported to play a role in the inflammatory response, thus reducing a preterm birth and preeclampsia. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the blood concentration of LCPUFA in pregnant women in Indonesia. This study was conducted to evaluate the status of LCPUFA in first-trimester pregnant women in Jakarta, Indonesia.Methods: A descriptive study was conducted using the secondary data of 197 pregnant women in their first trimester who received antenatal care in Budi Kemuliaan Hospital during February 2012 to April 2015. Nutrient intake data were collected through interviews conducted using a semi-quantitative frequency food questionnaire (SQ-FFQ). Total concentrations of linoleic acid (LA), arachidonic acid (AA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were measured using gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using SPSS 20.0.Results: Most subjects had deficient blood concentrations of LA (74.1%), AA (85.3%), ALA (76.6%), and DHA (73.1%). The median total concentrations of LA, AA, ALA, EPA, and DHA were as follows: 76.08%, 14.97%, 2.64%, 6.36%, and 1.18%, respectively. The median EPA+DHA level was 7.98%. A total of 38 women (19.3%) were classified as high-risk subjects based on the omega-3 index. No correlation was observed between total DHA+EPA concentration and birth weight (r=0.027, p=0.709). However, a significant difference was detected between the concentrations of LA, AA, and ALA and the maternal body mass index (p<0.05).Conclusion: Most subjects had low intake and blood concentrations of LA, AA, ALA, EPA, and DHA in the first trimester of pregnancy.