Background: Indonesia is estimated to be among countries with deficiencies in zinc intake. Zinc deficiency increase the risk of immune deficiency, preterm birth, retarded fetal growth, duration of infection healing, and stunting. Umbilical cord zinc levels can reflect zinc levels of newborns. Research on newborn zinc in Indonesia is still limited.Objective: Look for factors related to zinc levels of the newborns umbilical cord. The factors studied included maternal/newborn characteristics, and mode of delivery.Methods: A Cross sectional study of 88 healthy newborns at term pregnancy with their healthy mothers. Zinc samples were taken from cord blood immediately after birth. Measurement of zinc levels with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Chi-Square test was used to prove the relationship between low zinc levels (< 65μ/dl) with characteristics of both mother and newborn. The Mann-Whitney test was used to prove differences in zinc levels between groups according to characteristics, mode of delivery, and birth weight. Software SPSSstatistic 21.Results: There was no significant relationship between mother and newborn characteristics with low umbilical cord zinc levels (<65μg/dl), with a p value > 0.05. There was a significant difference in mean umbilical cord zinc levels between the two groups (p=0.015), that cesarean section delivery had a mean rank of lower zinc levels (41.5μg/ dl) median 79.8 (min.50.9-max.140.3 μg/dl) compared to spontaneous vaginal delivery (59.3μg/dl) median 97.7 (min.57.6-max.132.9μg/dl). Umbilical cord zinc levels from 2500 - < 2800 g birth weight group have lower mean rank (37.7μg/dl) compared to 2800 - 3900 g birth weight group (48.2μg/dl), with a p value = 0.028.Conclusions: There is a tendency to decrease zinc levels in healthy newborns from cesarean delivery. Decreased zinc levels in healthy newborns may cause lower birth weight.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 04 No. 04 October’20 Page : 298-304

Background: The research on association between differentiation of Th1 and Th2 were previously conducted on experimental animals. The study on association between umbilical cord zinc and the risk of allergy symptoms during early stage of life has not been conducted in Indonesia. Studies on zinc and allergies are commonly investigated during adulthood and the results are still contradictive. Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the extent of zinc’s role in the emergence of atopic allergy symptoms during the first 4 months age Methods: This prospective cohort study includes consecutive 80 healthy newborns followed up for 4 months after birth at Semarang Sultan Agung Islamic Hospital and Bangetayu Primary Health Care. Hypothesis testing were analyzed with unpaired t-test , chi-square test or fisher’s test Results: The mean value of cord blood zinc in allergic infants were significantly lower when compared with non atopic allergy (74.1 ± 17.3 μg / dL vs 91.5 ± 22.6 μg / dL, p=0.029). Very early formula feeding were 4.4 times more at risk of suffering from allergies(p=0.023). Conclusion: Umbilical cord zinc levels are associated with atopic allergy symptoms for the first 4 months of life. Formula feeding before 1 month of age was associated with atopic allergic infants Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.19(1) 2020 p.114-121

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