Define requirements of Zinc during pregnancy period?
Zinc, as a mineral, was found to be associated with foetal growth and birth weight. Low plasma zinc was associated with more complications in the antenatal and intrapartum periods, including pregnancy-induced hypertension. Subnormal tissue zinc in pregnancy may play a role in premature rupture of membranes at term. A point of caution is the interaction between zinc and iron. Zinc absorption is inhibited by high iron intakes, thus iron supplements may compromise zinc status.