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Plasma zinc concentrations were monitored during two pregnancies in a woman with acrodermatitis enteropathica treated by oral zinc sulphate supplement. Relatively, normal plasma zinc concentrations were maintained throughout both pregnancies. The offspring had no congenital abnormalities and seem to be developing normally.

The authors have used a simplified method for trace-element analysis employing atomic-absorption spectrophotometry to determine plasma concentrations of zinc and copper. Patients were 25 women in the last trimester of pregnancy and 10 women who had been taking an oral contraceptive for periods of 1 month to 4 years. Findings in both instances were a lowered zinc concentration in the presence of considerable raised copper concentration as compared with normal controls. Zinc plasma-concentration diminished in those taking oral contraceptives from an average normal of 96 mcg per 100 ml to 69 mcg per 100 ml and in the pregnant patients to 250 mcg per 100 ml. No adverse effect of the oral contraceptives was apparent.