Serum levels of zinc and copper in hydatidiform mole.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify any association between serum levels of trace elements zinc and copper and development of hydatidiform mole.

STUDY

DESIGN

Blood samples of 35 patients with complete hydatidiform mole and 34 pregnant women controls were evaluated for serum levels of zinc and copper. Student's t-test was used for comparison of mean values of serum zinc and copper and for demographic variables. p< or =0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Levels of zinc in serum were found to be significantly higher in hydatidiform mole patients than controls (86.3 vs. 68.7 microg/l, p=0.027). Serum copper levels were significantly lower in hydatidiform mole patients than controls (123.8 vs. 147.8 microg/l, p=0.039; Table 2).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study in the English scientific literature reporting higher serum levels of zinc and lower serum levels of copper associated with complete hydatidiform mole.