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Thymic size correlates with cord blood zinc levels in low-birth-weight newborns

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Abstract

Thymus is essential for immunity as it provides environment for T cell differentiation and maturation. There is limited information on various factors which determine thymic size at birth. We studied the influence of cord blood zinc and copper levels and maternal and neonatal nutritional status on thymic size in term low-birth-weight (LBW) newborns. A prospective observational study on 44 term LBW (<2,500 g) newborns (cases) and 71 gestational age-matched newborns weighing ≥2,500 g (controls). Sonographically determined thymic index was correlated to cord blood zinc and copper levels and maternal and neonatal nutritional status. Thymic index measured 3.74 ± 1.57 cm3 in LBW newborns compared to 4.90 ± 2.33 cm3 in normal-birth-weight newborns. Thymic index was significantly correlated to cord blood zinc levels but not to cord blood copper levels and had linear relationship to the maternal body mass index and midarm circumference and neonatal anthropometric parameters. Conclusion: Thymic index is linearly related to cord blood zinc levels and maternal and neonatal nutritional status. Compared to thymic size in the Western newborns, the thymus is less than half in size in Indian newborns of normal birth weight. Reduced thymic size in Indian newborns in general and LBW infants in particular may have consequences for their immune competence and the risk of infections. Improving nutrition of pregnant women, particularly zinc nutriture might favorably influence thymic size in their offspring.

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Acknowledgment

AK conceived and designed the study, analyzed the data, and drafted the manuscript. MP collected and analyzed the data and helped to draft the manuscript. SB analyzed the data, performed the statistical analysis, and drafted the manuscript. RCS performed the sonography and helped to draft the manuscript. RKA analyzed the samples and helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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None of the authors have any conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India

    Ashok Kumar & Sriparna Basu

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

    Madhukar Pandey

  3. Department of Radiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

    Ram Chandra Shukla

  4. Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

    Ravi Kumar Asthana

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  1. Ashok Kumar
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  2. Madhukar Pandey
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  3. Sriparna Basu
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  4. Ram Chandra Shukla
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  5. Ravi Kumar Asthana
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Correspondence to Ashok Kumar.

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Communicated by Patrick Van Reempts

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Kumar, A., Pandey, M., Basu, S. et al. Thymic size correlates with cord blood zinc levels in low-birth-weight newborns. Eur J Pediatr 173, 1083–1087 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-014-2293-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-014-2293-7

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