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1. Maternal zinc supplementation during pregnancy: effects on offspring autonomic function at 4 ½ years of age
Author(s) -
Caulfield Laura Elizabeth,
Zavaleta Nelly,
Chen Ping,
Putnick Diane,
Bornstein Marc H,
DiPietro Janet
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.227.7
Subject(s) - offspring , medicine , pregnancy , autonomic function , zinc , heart rate variability , pediatrics , physiology , obstetrics , heart rate , blood pressure , biology , genetics , materials science , metallurgy
Objective To evaluate the persistence of differences in autonomic function in Peruvian children at 4 ½ years of age, whose mothers had participated during pregnancy in a zinc supplementation trial. Methods We followed up 205 children from the original trial, and present data on 165 (80%) children, 79 who mothers took 25 mg/d zinc in addition to 60 mg iron and 250 ug folic acid (FA) during pregnancy, and 86 whose mothers took iron and FA only. We collected ECG data on the children at rest and while they undertook cognitive testing following a standardized protocol. Derived cardiac measures were heart period (HP), HP variability (HPV), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), mean standard deviation (MSD) and HP range. Results At baseline, children in the zinc supplementation group had greater HP, RSA, HPV, MSD and range (P < 0.05). When analyzed across the tasks, prenatal zinc supplementation was estimated to result in 21.602 (9.491) greater HP, 0.310 (0.130) greater HPV, 4.723 (1.946) greater MSD (all P < 0.05), 0.327 (0.182) greater RSA (P =0.075), and 14.298 (8.273) greater range (P=0.086). Conclusions Differences in autonomic function associated with maternal prenatal zinc supplementation were detectable in the offspring at 4 ½ years of age. Supported by NICHD.