Maternal Zinc Status and Birth Outcomes among Yemeni Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to evaluate Yemeni pregnant women’s socioeconomic status, lifestyle, food habits, and reproductive health traits. In addition, it was intended to evaluate the mothers’ and their babies’ zinc levels and
investigate the association between these factors. Materials and Methods: Al-Sabeen Maternal Referral Hospital in Sana’a was the site of this descriptive cross-sectional study. Ninety-two Yemeni pregnant women presenting for delivery and their infants made up the total of 184 participants. Data on personal and dietary history were collected
using a structured questionnaire. Serum zinc concentrations were measured in venous blood samples taken from mothers and the umbilical cord. Results and Discussion: The majority of participating mothers (91.3%) were housewives, and 34.78% were illiterate. Carbohydrates constituted the primary component of daily dietary intake, while protein intake was comparatively low. The mean maternal serum zinc concentration was 68.57 ± 21.81 µg/dL, whereas the mean neonatal serum zinc level was 65.05 ± 20.04 µg/dL. Maternal serum zinc levels and neonatal birth weight were found to be statistically significantly correlated, with an average birth weight of 2.8 ± 0.47 kg. Conclusion: Neonatal zinc status was found to be significantly associated with maternal serum zinc levels. Approximately 44% of newborns exhibited low serum zinc concentrations, suggesting inadequate transplacental zinc transfer during pregnancy. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions, such as micronutrient supplementation, nutritional education, and dietary counseling, to enhance maternal nutritional status, which is essential for promoting optimal outcomes for both mothers and their newborns.