Copper to Zinc Ratio as Disease Biomarker in Neonates with Early-Onset Congenital Infections.
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| Abstract |
Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) are essential trace elements for regular development. Acute infections alter their metabolism, while deficiencies increase infection risks. A prospective observational case-control study was conducted with infected (n = 21) and control (n = 23) term and preterm newborns. We analyzed trace element concentrations by X-ray fluorescence, and ceruloplasmin (CP) by Western blot. Median concentration of Cu at birth (day 1) was 522.8 [387.1-679.7] μg/L, and Zn was 1642.4 ± 438.1 μg/L. Cu and Zn correlated positively with gestational age in control newborns. Cu increased in infected newborns from day 1 to day 3. CP correlated positively to Cu levels at birth in both groups and on day 3 in the group of infected neonates. The Cu/Zn ratio was relatively high in infected newborns. Interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations on day 1 were unrelated to Cu, Zn, or the Cu/Zn ratio, whereas C-reactive protein (CRP) levels on day 3 correlated positively to the Cu/Zn -ratio at both day 1 and day 3. We conclude that infections affect the trace element homeostasis in newborns: serum Zn is reduced, while Cu and CP are increased. The Cu/Zn ratio combines both alterations, independent of gestational age. It may, thus, constitute a meaningful diagnostic biomarker for early-onset infections.
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| Authors | Monika Wisniewska, Malte Cremer, Lennart Wiehe, Niels-Peter Becker, Eddy Rijntjes, Janine Martitz, Kostja Renko, Christoph Bührer, Lutz Schomburg |
| Journal | Nutrients (Nutrients) Vol. 9 Issue 4 (Mar 30 2017) ISSN: 2072-6643 [Electronic] Switzerland |
| PMID | 28358335 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Observational Study) |
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