Pregnancy is associated with increased demand of all the nutrients like Iron, Copper, Zinc etc. and deficiency of any of these could affect pregnancy, delivery and out come of pregnancy. With this consideration, the study was conducted on 80 mothers and newborns and 20 age matched control women. Out of 80 mothers, 34 had Iron deficiency anemia and their Hb levels were below 9.0 gm/d'. Pregnant women had significantly lower Iron and Zinc levels while Copper and Total Iron Binding Capacity (I'IBC) were significantly higher (P<0.001). Newborns had significantly elevated Iron and Zinc levels and low levels of Copper and TIBC as compared to their mothers irrespective of Iron deficiency anemia. Micronutrient status of newborn was found to be dependent on their mother's micronutrient status. Besides, results also suggest micronutrient interactions, which are reflected in Iron/Zinc, Iron/Copper and Zinc/Copper ratios. In view of this, there is need for proper, adequate and balanced micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy to affect a healthy outcome.

Serum antioxidant status and peroxidative stress was estimated in 30 pregnant women, their newborn infants and 25 non-pregnant women. Serum Ascorbic acid, cr retinol & ~-carotene levels were found to be significantly reduced and peroxidatlve stress was significantly higher in mothers as compared to matched non-pregnant women. Newborn had significantly higher levels of ascorbic acid as compared to their mother but had significantly lower levels of lipid soluble vitamins. The peroxidative stress in newbom was found to be significantly less as compared to their mothers. A positive correlation of ascorbic acid and ct-tocopherol levels between mother and newborn reflects that their status in mother does influence the newborn status.