CERUPLASMIN ACTIVITY, COPPER AND ZINC DETERMINATIONS IN PREDICTING THE PROGNOSIS OF THREATENED-ABORTION

Abstract

The importance of ceruloplasmin and copper determinations in die evaluation of the prognosis of the threatened abortion has been demonstrated. Fourty-five healthy pregnant women, twelve 42-week pregnant women with primary inertia without any other complications and 72 patients with early pregnancy bleeding were included in the study. Spectrophotometric estimation of CRL activity was done with a previously defined method. The Cu and Zn content of blood serum was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The threatened abortion cases with poor prognosis had significantly low ceruloplasmin and copper values in comparison to the group of favourable prognosis and normal pregnancies of the same gestational age (p < 0.05 for all). Significantly low levels of ceruloplasmin and copper values compared to the other groups were also demonstrated in missed abortion cases (p < 0.01). In all study groups zinc values were found to be unchanged. As a conclusion, it can be assumed that ceruloplasmin activity and copper measurements are valuable in predicting the prognosis of threatened abortion though the exact mechanism is not known clearly.