Maternal Serum Concentrations of Selenium, Copper, and Zinc during Pregnancy Are Associated with Risk of Spontaneous Preterm Birth: A Case-Control Study from Malawi

Chiudzu, Grace; Choko, Augustine; Maluwa, Alfred; Huber, Sandra; Odland, Jon Øyvind

doi:10.1155/2020/9435972

Cited by 23 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…A nested case-control investigation recently conducted in Malawi included 181 women, 90/181 (49.7%) term and 91/181 (50.3%) preterm pregnant women [57]. Se levels were analyzed together with Zn and Cu.…”

Section: Se and Impact On Preterm Birthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selenium and at-risk pregnancy: challenges and controversies

Duntas

2020

Thyroid Res

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Selenium (Se), an essential trace element, is inserted as selenocysteine into an array of functional proteins and forms the core of various enzymes that play a cardinal role in antioxidant defense mechanisms, in redox regulation, and in thyroid hormone metabolism. Variations in plasma Se are due to nutritional habits, geographic and ethnic differences, and probably to genetic polymorphisms, the latter still to be conclusively established. Se concentrations were reported to be low in women of reproductive age in the UK, decreasing further during pregnancy, this resulting in low plasma and placental antioxidant enzyme activities. Since low serum Se levels have been found in women with preeclampsia, it has been hypothesized that low maternal Se status during early gestation may be an indicator of preterm birth. Moreover, it is documented that Se administration during pregnancy tendentially reduced the markers of thyroid autoimmunity and the incidence of maternal hypothyroidism in the postpartum period. Importantly, low Se levels in pregnant women affect fetal growth and augment the risk of delivering a small-for-gestational age infant by reducing placental antioxidant defense, while low Se in the third trimester is thought to indicate increased demands by the placenta, an issue which requires further confirmation. There is evidently a need for double-blind, placebo-controlled studies to better determine the efficacy and safety of Se supplementation in pregnancy at high risk for complications, and for measurement of Se levels or of selenoprotein P, the most reliable parameter of Se status, particularly in selenopenic regions.

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Section: Se and Impact On Preterm Birthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selenium and at-risk pregnancy: challenges and controversies

Duntas

2020

Thyroid Res

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“…Osendarp et al 109 also suggested that maternal zinc supplementation has beneficial effect on neonatal immune status, early neonatal morbidity and infant infections. Contrary to the findings of other studies, Chiudzu et al 110 demonstrated elevated concentrations of serum copper and zinc in Malawian women giving preterm birth. Favier et al 56 also reported beneficial effects of zinc supplementation on male sterility and in reducing complications during pregnancy.…”

Section: Zinc Supplementation and Preterm Birthmentioning

confidence: 60%

Zinc homeostasis in immunity and its association with preterm births

2022

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Preterm birth is among the most common adverse pregnancy outcomes and is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. While trace elements are essential for humans, their specific roles in the prenatal period remain unexplored. Zinc, a ubiquitous element, plays a pivotal role in protein synthesis, cell division, nucleic acid metabolism, apoptosis, ageing, reproduction, immunological and antioxidant defence mechanism. Although zinc quantities are very small in body tissue, it is involved in every conceivable biochemical pathway, which is critical for the performance of various functions necessary to sustain life. Owing to the multifactorial role of zinc, it is not possible to attribute a certain zinc‐dependent mechanism in preterm births. Although the effect of zinc deficiency on immunity, its impact on maternal function and health as well as its role in the developing foetus is well documented, much less attention has been given to the understanding of micronutrient zinc homeostasis in immunity and its association with preterm births. Despite extensive research, the pathway by which zinc regulates pregnancy outcomes as well as the function of immune cells in controlling the delivery status (term/preterm) is still obscure. The present review aims to focus on the understanding of relationship of micronutrient zinc homeostasis in immunity and its association with preterm births.

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“…A study performed in Australia found that an excessive dietary intake of Se was associated with prolonged pregnancy. In contrast, Se levels in Japanese pregnant women were not related to pre-term births [53,54]. These findings indicate the need to investigate the effect of supplementary intake of Se not only in pregnant women, but also in the general population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Selenium Status, Its Interaction with Selected Essential and Toxic Elements, and a Possible Sex-Dependent Response In Utero, in a South African Birth Cohort

Röllin

Channa

Olutola

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element and its deficiency in utero may affect fetus development and birth outcomes. The current study aimed to assess serum Se status at delivery and examine the possible association between Se levels and birth outcomes. The interaction of Se with selected essential and toxic elements as well as possible sex-dependent responses in utero were also evaluated. The negative association between Se levels and head circumference of neonates was evident in the total cohort (β = −0.164; p < 0.001) as well as in the pre-term and full-term cohorts. Significant positive correlations were found between maternal serum Se concentrations and zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in the total and regional cohorts. In the total cohort, the toxic elements lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) showed a negative correlation with Se levels, while mercury (Hg), aluminum (Al) and cadmium (Cd) showed a positive correlation. The study found a sex-dependent response in utero for Zn, Cu, Pb, Hg, and Al. The findings of the current study may inform reproductive health policy on Se status in South Africa and highlight the need for sensitive methods to measure Se intake during pregnancy and its complex interactions with other micronutrients and environmental pollutants.

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Maternal Serum Concentrations of Selenium, Copper, and Zinc during Pregnancy Are Associated with Risk of Spontaneous Preterm Birth: A Case-Control Study from Malawi

Cited by 23 publications

References 45 publications

Selenium and at-risk pregnancy: challenges and controversies

Selenium and at-risk pregnancy: challenges and controversies

Zinc homeostasis in immunity and its association with preterm births

Selenium Status, Its Interaction with Selected Essential and Toxic Elements, and a Possible Sex-Dependent Response In Utero, in a South African Birth Cohort

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