Dr. Y. Shah MD, Associate Dean of Global Health, DMU
Lindsay Zylstra, Central College
Introduction

Maternal zinc deficiency has been associated
with adverse fetal outcome

Estimated over 80% of all pregnant women
worldwide and 61% of women in their first
trimester are likely to suffer from zinc
deficiency
Introduction

Recent data has shown that maternal zinc
supplements may improve the neonatal immune
status, reduce infant morbidity from infectious
disease, as well as prevent congenital
malformations

Nepali diet is vegetarian-like and cereal based
 High in phytate which inhibits zinc absorption
○ Rice, Nepal’s main source of food, is extremely
high in phytate and does contain zinc, but the
phytate inhibits zinc absorption
Methods & Analysis

Literature research conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, and
PubMed

Purpose to assess if supplementation of zinc during
pregnancy can improve infancy growth and developmental
parameters, especially in developing countries such as
Nepal

Literature suggests a beneficial effect of maternal zinc
supplement on the neonatal immune system and
preventing infectious disease
Relationship between mother plasma zinc (Zn)
and newborn length in the supplemented group
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (4)
Conclusion

Legume, seeds, nuts and whole wheat cereal
 decreasing the amount of food that contains a high amount of
phytate would improve deficiency

Nutrition transition must be a key factor

For less than 13 cents a day (U.S. retail price) a daily
zinc supplement can be provided to a pregnant
Nepalese woman, which can lower the risk of progeny
adverse effects
Conclusion

Research has shown that a fetus suffering from
zinc deficiency can develop abnormalities in the
central nervous system (5), but analyses indicate
that more specific research needs to be conducted
because the current data is not conclusive

Studies conclude that maternal zinc deficiency can
cause preterm birth (low birth weight), adverse
neurobehavioral development, depleted immune
system, and congenital malformations

12mg/day zinc supplement
References
1. Jiang T. et al. Micronutrient deficiencies in early pregnancy are
Common, concurrent, and vary by season among rural Nepali
pregnant women. J Nutr2005; 5:1106.
2. Christian, P. (2003). Micronutrients and reproductive health issues:
An international perspective. The Journal of Nutrition, 133(6),
1969S-1973S
3. Zinc deficiency in pregnancy and fetal outcome. (2006). Nutrition
Reviews, 64(1), 15-30.
4. Hiniger, I. et al. Effects of a combined micronutrient
supplementation on maternal biological status and newborn
anthropometrics measurements
5. Osrin, D. et al. (2005). Effects of antenatal multiple micronutrient
supplementation on birthweight and gestational duration in Nepal.:
Double-blind, randomized controlled trail. Lancet, 365(9463), 955962.