Summary. Plasma zinc concentration was significantly lower in the maternal blood of 54 women giving birth to congenitally abnormal babies either within 24 h or 24 months previously when compared with control mothers. Cord blood zinc concentrations in 20 congenitally abnormal babies were also lower than in the control babies. We conclude that low plasma zinc may be an associated factor in the aetiology of fetal abnormality.

Even moderate anemia can raise levels of NO and enhance its biologic effects, which in turn can result in uterine muscle relaxation and atonic PPH. Preventing or treating anemia during pregnancy could avoid these complications.

These findings could be used to develop a predictive procedure for identifying high-risk cases of retained placenta.

EACD is a cost-effective and easily applied maneuver that allows satisfactory management of PPH without maternal mortality or morbidity. It is of value in developing countries.