Serum zinc and copper in thin mothers, their breast milk and their infants

A study evaluated the zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) status of the sera of 30 thin mothers and 30 control mothers who breast fed their infants for at least 21 days. Thin mothers, their infants, and the mothers' breast milk were all found to be Zn and Cu sufficient at delivery and at 3 weeks post partum. Serum Zn increased in both thin and control mothers from delivery to 3 weeks post partum; however, serum Zn levels in thin mothers at 3 weeks was lower than that of control mothers. Serum Cu levels were higher in thin mothers, but their infants had lower serum Cu levels than did infants of control mothers. It is suggested that these differences may be due to inadequate nutrition in thin mothers during pregnancy.(wz)