Serum and hair concentrations of copper during pregnancy

Serum and hair concentration of copper were measured in 28 nonpregnant women and 60 pregnant women at 20 to 22 wk gestation (2nd trimester), 36 to 37 wk gestation (3rd trimester), and 3 days postpartum. The serum copper concentration in pregnant women was approximately twice (1.71 to 1.79 micrograms/ml) the normal nonpregnant values (0.98 micrograms/ml). These high levels persisted throughout pregnancy and early postpartum. The mean concentration of serum copper in maternal serum was about five times those in umbilical cord blood (0.33 microgram/ml) and a strong relationship was noted between maternal and cord copper concentration. Hair copper levels were similar in pregnant and nonpregnant subjects. No significant relationship was noted between serum and hair copper concentrations. Serum copper levels…