Serum Copper Concentration in Newborns with Neural Tube Defects in Northern Iran; A Case Control Study.

Objective: this study was conducted to determine the eventual association between copper deficiency in newborns with neural tube defects (ntd) in northern iran. a high prevalence of neural tube defects has been reported from this region.methods: this hospital based case control study was carried out on 13 newborns having neural tube defects and 35 healthy controls in northern iran during 2005-2006. serum copper was measured by spectrophotometery.findings: serum copper level in newborns with ntd and healthy normal newborns was 16.5 ((plus-minus)7.2) (mu)mol/l and 16.7 ((plus-minus)6.6) (mu)mol/l, respectively. in case group 38.5% of newborns and in control group 28.6% had copper deficiency. logistic regression analysis showed no association between the presence of ntd and copper deficiency (or:1.6, 95% ci=0.3-7.1, p=0.5).conclusion: this study showed no association between ntd and copper deficiency in newborns.