Journal of Tropical Pediatrics Advance Access originally published online on September 22, 2005
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 2006 52(2):118-125; doi:10.1093/tropej/fmi077
Relationship Between Infant Birth Weight 
2000 g and Maternal Zinc Levels at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
a Department of Paediatrics, Mwananyamala District Hospital, Tanzania b Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, Tanzania c Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Tanzania d Department of Chemistry, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Correspondence: Anath Ab-Bakari Rwebembera, Deparment of Paediatrics, Mwananyamala District Hospital, PO Box 77894, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. E-mail <arwebembera{at}muchs.ac.tz>.
The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between infant birth weight 
2000 g and material zinc status. The study was an unmatched case control. The study was conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in labor ward, from July to September 2002. The study population consisted infants with birth weight of 2000 g and their mothers as cases and infants with birth weight of 
3000 g and their mothers formed the control group. There were 81 cases and 84 control infant-mother pairs. Maternal and infants venous blood samples were taken after delivery. Plasma zinc was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer method. Data were analyzed using Epi-info version 6. Logistic regression was used to assess the contribution of other risk factor on infant birth weight. Date was converted to STATA format and logistic regression analysis was done using STATA program version 8. The results showed that there is significant relationship between infant birth weight and maternal zinc levels. Mothers with low zinc levels were two and half time more at risk of having an infant weighing 2000 g compared to those with normal zinc levels (OR 2.62, CI 1.36–5.73 p = 0.002). Cord blood zinc concentration was significantly lower in low birth weight compared to control babies. Infants with low zinc levels were almost three times more at risk of being born with birth weight 2000 g compared to those with normal zinc levels (OR 2.79, CI 1.36–5.73 p = 0.0016). This study indicated that there is a relationship between low infant birth weight 2000 g and maternal zinc deficiency. There is a relationship between infant birth weight and infant zinc levels. Maternal age of 19 years is associated with low infant birth weight and low maternal zinc levels. Plasma zinc level in mother correlated with plasma zinc level is their offspring.