Unusual low plasma levels of zinc in non-pregnant Congolese women.

Zn is an essential trace element required throughout the life cycle. Although suboptimal Zn status is thought to be common in many sub-Saharan countries, there is a paucity of data in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The objective of the study was to determine Zn status in non-pregnant Congolese women. We measured plasma Zn and indicators of nutritional status (albumin, prealbumin, retinol-binding protein) and inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP), ceruloplasmin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP)) in seventy-seven lactating and thirty non-lactating women (mean age 28 and 31 years, respectively). Blood samples were collected in summer 1989 in rural Bas-Congo during a survey on Fe status. Mean lactation period was 8.3 months. Mean parity was higher in lactating (3.6) than in non-lactating (2.2) women (P < 0.05). Mean biochemical indicators of nutritional status, CRP and ceruloplasmin were within normal range and not different between groups. Mean AGP concentrations were above normal (>1.2 g/l) and higher in lactating (1.365 g/l) than in non-lactating (1.178 g/l) women (P < 0.05). Mean Zn concentration (540 microg/l) of the overall study population was below normal (700 microg/l); and the mean was lower in lactating (455 microg/l) than in non-lactating (759 microg/l) women (P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis suggested that parity (P < 0.05), but not inflammation, was the most important factor associated with low Zn levels. Despite the lack of data on dietary intake, the results suggest that suboptimal Zn status may be common in the studied population.