Author/Authors :
Amirlak, I. United Arab Emirates University - Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Paediatrics, United Arab Emirates , Dawson, K.P. United Arab Emirates University - Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Paediatrics, United Arab Emirates , Kochiyil, J. United Arab Emirates University - Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Paediatrics, United Arab Emirates , Ezimokhai, M. United Arab Emirates University - Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, United Arab Emirates , Thomas, L. United Arab Emirates University - Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, United Arab Emirates , Dawodu, A. University of Cincinnati - College of Medicine - Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre, United States of America , Abdulle, A.M. United Arab Emirates University - Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Internal Medicine, United Arab Emirates
Abstract :
Micronutrient deficiencies exist among women of childbearing age in the United Arab Emirates but the effects of maternal micronutrient deficiency on fetal growth are not well documented. To investigate the association between micronutrients and birth weight, we measured maternal and cord blood micronutrients (vitamin A, C, D, and E) and ferritin in 84 term, singleton infants born to healthy Arab and South Asian women at Al-Ain hospital. Median serum ascorbic acid and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations were low in mothers and infants. In multivariate analysis, maternal serum 25-OHD correlated positively with birth weight while serum ferritin showed a negative correlation.
