[Mineral concentrations in the hair and serum of pregnant women].

This study was carried out to determine the mineral concentrations in the hair and serum of normal pregnant women and hair mineral concentrations in cases of obstetric disorders. The hair mineral concentrations were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Serum mineral concentrations were analyzed by the established method. The following results and conclusions were obtained : 1) Hair calcium and magnesium concentrations declined and hair sodium and potassium concentrations increased as pregnancy progressed. No significant changes in hair concentrations of phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, mercury, aluminum, and arsenic were observed with advancing stages of gestation. 2) Serum calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, and zinc concentrations decreased and serum copper concentration increased as pregnancy progressed. No significant changes in serum concent rations of phosphorus and potassium were observed with advancing stages of gestation. 3) In the cases of minerals for which significant changes were observed during the course of pregnancy in both serum and hair, the hair mineral concentration changes were accompanied by changes in the serum concentration levels. The hair changes occurred later than serum changes. 4) No significant correlation was observed between serum and hair mineral concentrations of pregnant women. 5) Minerals other than sodium and potassium were found in greater concentrations in the hair than in the serum. 6) Low levels of hair calcium concentration were observed in cases of gestosis. Low levels of hair iron concentration were observed in cases of anemia and low levels of hair copper and zinc concentration were observed in cases of SFD. These results suggest that low levels of these minerals were related to the occurrence of the above obstetric disorders.