Vitamin and Mineral Levels of Newborns in Van Basin and Their Relation to Maternal Vitamin and Mineral Status

This study was designed to evaluate the correlation between vitamin and mineral levels of mothers and their neonates. Vitamin, mineral and biochemical parameters were assessed from samples of maternal blood, hair and milk and neonatal hair, umbilical cord blood and meconium. Neonatal retinol plasma levels as well as neonatal alphaand gamma-tocopherol levels were significantly lower (P < 0.01) than maternal levels. Neonatal zinc and iron levels were significantly higher (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) and neonatal copper and magnesium levels significantly lower (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) than maternal levels. Neonatal hair potassium (P < 0.05), calcium (P < 0.01), iron (P < 0.01), copper (P < 0.01), magnesium (P < 0.01), manganese (P < 0.01) and zinc (P < 0.01) levels were found significantly lower than maternal hair levels, and neonatal hair cobalt levels were significantly higher than maternal hair levels (P < 0.01). Neonatal plasma glucose and total protein levels were significantly lower than maternal levels (P < 0.01), whereas neonatal total, direct and indirect bilirubin, AST, albumin, phosphorous, sodium, potassium and calcium levels were significantly higher than maternal levels (P < 0.01). Most of the results obtained from the study data were in line with previous literature and indicated that maternal and neonatal health in the Van Basin is not at risk in terms of nutritional status.