Impact of zinc supplementation during pregnancy on the anthropometric indices of the newborns

Background: Nutritional status of pregnant mothers is one of the key factors in fetal growth. Micronutrients including Zinc lead to various biological consequences on mother and fetus. We therefore investigated the effect of supplemental zinc sulfate during pregnancy on the newborns weight, height and head circumference. Methods: Using a double-blinded controlled clinical trial, 465 pregnant women from Isfahan province with gestational age of 14-18wks were recruited. 229 as cases received 50 mg Zinc sulfate daily and 149 as controls obtained placebo throughout the pregnancy. The subjects regularly were checked up. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-Square tests. Results: Both groups showed similar maternal characteristics. The mean weight, height and head circumferences of newborn cases were 3.11 kg, 49.82 and 34.17 cm whereas of controls were 3.09 kg, 49.48 cm and 34.48 cm, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the indices of growth in both newborn groups. There was not any significant difference between frequency of low birth weight (less than 2500 gr) among cases and controls. Conclusion: No beneficial effect of Zinc supplementation on fetal growth was observed in our study. The majority of Meta-analysis studies showed similar results but some not.