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Maternal – neonatal serum selenium and copper levels in Greeks and Albanians

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 58, pages 1314–1318 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) concentrations in Greek and Albanian immigrant mothers and in the cord blood of their newborns.

Subjects and methods: From 1118 Greek and 820 Albanian mothers and from the cord blood of their neonates blood was obtained for Se and Cu measurement. Se and Cu concentrations were determined in sera with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAAS) and atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively. In all, 30 days' nutrient intakes were evaluated in both groups.

Results: Animal protein, Se and Cu intakes were poor in the Albanians vs the Greeks (P<0.001). Se concentrations in the Greek mothers (68.3±8.5 μg/l) and in their newborns (37.02±8.9 μg/l) were found higher as compared with those in Albanian mothers (37.4±9.9 μg/l) and in their newborns (34.3±9.1 μg/l) (P<0.001). Cu levels were also found higher (P<0.001) in the Greek mothers (1687±353 μg/l) and in their neonates (449±87 μg/l) compared with those in the Albanian mothers (959±318 μg/l) and in their newborns (229±67 μg/l). Additionally, 31.5% of neonates born to Albanian women with Se concentrations less than 28 μg/l had higher Se levels (P<0.01) than their mothers.

Conclusions: The low Se and Cu levels evaluated in the Albanian mothers and their newborns could be related to their poor animal protein intake which could be the consequence of their low socioeconomic status. As an effective preventive measure, accurate dietetic strategies to assess the requirements of pregnant immigrant women for trace elements may be planned in Greece.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Mrs Anna Stamatis for her careful typing of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Child Health, Athens, Greece

    K H Schulpis

  2. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, “Aghia Sophia” Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece

    T Karakonstantakis, G Chronopoulou & I Papassotiriou

  3. First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens University, “Alexandra” Maternity Hospital, Athens, Greece

    S Gavrili & G Vlachos

  4. Pharmacokinetics and Parenteral Nutrition Unit, “Aghia Sophia” Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece

    G A Karikas

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  1. K H Schulpis
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Contributions

Contributors: KHS was involved in the design of the study and in writing the manuscript. Measurements of biochemical parameters were performed by TK and GC. SG, GK and GV collected the samples and records. Data analysis, editing of the manuscript and study coordination were performed by IP.

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Correspondence to I Papassotiriou.

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Schulpis, K., Karakonstantakis, T., Gavrili, S. et al. Maternal – neonatal serum selenium and copper levels in Greeks and Albanians. Eur J Clin Nutr 58, 1314–1318 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601967

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