Next Article in Journal
Functional Foods, a Hope to Delay Muscle Dystrophy Progression: A Potential Role for Omega Fatty Acids
Previous Article in Journal
Mediterranean Diet on Development and Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Previous Article in Special Issue
Serum Folate Concentrations in Exclusively Breastfed Preterm Infants Who Received No Supplementary Oral Folic Acid After Discharge: A Prospective Cohort Study
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Systematic Review

Copper, Zinc, and Selenium Levels During Pregnancy and Their Relationship with Pre-Eclampsia Risk: A Systematic Review

by
Pietra dos Santos Goularte
1,
Carlos Henrique Lima Imperador
1,
Felipe Hassan Piedade
1,
Amanda Nascimento Guerin
1,
Karina de Toledo Martins
1,
Diogo Boreski
2,
Edmo Atique Gabriel
1,
Sthefano Atique Gabriel
1,
Daniel Guimarães Tiezzi
1,3 and
Chung Man Chin
1,2,*
1
Advanced Research Center in Medicine (CEPAM), School of Medicine, Union of the Colleges of the Great Lakes (UNILAGO), Sao Jose do Rio Preto 15030-070, SP, Brazil
2
Laboratory for Drug Design (LAPDESF), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo State (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil
3
Gynecology Department, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto 05508-220, SP, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Nutrients 2025, 17(6), 1038; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17061038
Submission received: 5 February 2025 / Revised: 12 March 2025 / Accepted: 13 March 2025 / Published: 15 March 2025

Abstract

:
Pre-eclampsia (PE) affects about 5% of all pregnancies worldwide and is one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Some reports suggest that micronutrients may influence this condition, but there is no existing report analyzing data on copper (Cu), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) regarding quality and bias. Accurate information is crucial to support governmental healthcare actions, especially in developing countries such as Brazil. This study aims to investigate whether alterations in Zn, Cu, and Se levels in pregnant women contribute to the development of PE. We conducted the study following PRISMA guidelines and registered it on PROSPERO (CRD42022302298). We searched LILACS, PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases from January 2000 to January 2024. Of 1202 reports, 42 manuscripts were suitable for analysis (contained one or more micronutrients). A total of 76 individual analyses (by nutrient) were performed using Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal and Cochrane Risk of Bias Tools. The analyses classified 69 reports as fair/low-quality with bias. Due to this, a meta-analysis was not conducted, as the results would not have accurately reflected reality. Of the high-quality reports, five on Cu showed conflicting results, while two studies on Zn found no differences in the level of this micronutrient between normal and PE pregnancies. No high-quality studies were identified for Se. The results highlight the need for robust guidelines for research involving micronutrients and PE to address this question effectively.

1. Introduction

Micronutrient deficiencies are of great importance in Public Health when considering women of reproductive age in low and middle-income countries (PBMR) [1,2,3,4]. According to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), globally, 76,000 women and 500,000 babies die each year from pre-eclampsia (PE), and women in low-income countries are at a higher risk of developing PE compared to those in high-income countries [5]. The most common cause of death in women with PE is intracranial hemorrhage; other serious complications include placental abruption, HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzyme, Low Platelet) syndrome, acute pulmonary edema, respiratory distress syndrome, and acute renal failure. PE is also associated with several short and long-term perinatal and neonatal complications, including death [5].
According to Roberts et al. [6], the definition of PE has evolved significantly, affecting its diagnosis and epidemiological understanding. The guidelines from health organizations no longer require proteinuria for diagnosis, instead focusing on new onset hypertension (≥140/90 mm Hg) with other systemic symptoms. This shift complicates comparisons with older data and highlights the complexity of PE as more than just high blood pressure. There are ongoing discussions about lowering the diagnostic threshold to ≥130/80 mm Hg, balancing the potential benefits with increased monitoring needs.
Currently, PE is classified by the timing of diagnosis: early-onset, linked to poor placentation, and late-onset, related to a mismatch between maternal blood flow and fetal needs, as well as a predisposition to cardiovascular issues. Understanding the underlying causes of vascular dysfunction in PE is crucial for developing better prediction and prevention strategies. The syndrome has multiple causes, leading to endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and stress on the placenta. The recent link between COVID-19 and PE raises questions about whether it is strictly a pregnancy-related condition. More research is needed to clarify the contributions of several factors to the disorder [7].
Inflammatory processes can lead to metabolic dysfunctions and nutrient losses, which, during the pre-conception, post-conception, and pregnancy periods, may result in fetal alterations, such as neurological disorders in newborns caused by folate deficiency. To address this issue, folate supplementation has been included in pregnancy prescriptions [8]. Regarding other nutrients, such as vitamin B6, their deficiency has been suggested as a potential risk factor for PE [9]. However, a systematic review conducted by Salam et al. [3] that included four clinical trials identified significant limitations, such as high risk of bias, unclear trial methodologies, and inadequate follow-up. As a result, the review did not provide sufficient evidence to support the clinical benefits of vitamin B6 supplementation during pregnancy.
Micronutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin C, and iodine and their relationship with PE have been extensively studied [10,11,12], allowing for a safer decision on the prescription of these micronutrients as supplements during pregnancy.
Vitamin D has been associated with potential reduction in the risk of PE [13,14]. A comprehensive network meta-analysis published in 2022, which included data from 130 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1,122,916 participants, identified several effective interventions for PE prophylaxis. These interventions included low-molecular-weight heparin (RR: 0.60, 0.42–0.87), aspirin (RR: 0.79, 0.72–0.86), vitamin D (RR: 0.65, 0.45–0.95), calcium (RR: 0.71, 0.62–0.82), and exercise (RR: 0.68, 0.50–0.92) [11]. However, more recent evidence has questioned the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in preventing PE. Three systematic reviews, including a Cochrane review published in 2024, found no clear benefit of vitamin D in reducing PE risk. Although vitamin D has been considered a potential preventive measure, the current findings remain inconclusive, and its role in PE prevention is still uncertain [13,14].
Most of the micronutrients, including copper (Cu), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn), lack enough studies to allow their real necessity of prescription to prevent the development of PE.
Zn is a trace element, ranking as the second most abundant metal in the human body after iron (Fe). It serves important structural, regulatory, and catalytic roles and is essential to over 2500 proteins, including various enzymes and transcription factors [15,16]. Approximately 10% of the human proteome depends on Zn ions, which play a significant role in gene regulation, DNA metabolism, chromatin organization, cell growth, programmed cell death, immune response, cognitive function, and antioxidant defenses [15]. Additionally, Zn is crucial for intracellular signaling and essential for proper synaptic activity in the central nervous system [17].
Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) is a metalloenzyme responsible for converting the superoxide anion (O₂⁻) into molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) 18]. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anions, are unstable and can damage DNA, potentially disrupting the DNA damage response (DDR)—a critical issue in cancer, where DDR pathway mutations are common [18]. Recent findings indicate that Cu/Zn-SOD also influences the expression of genes responsive to ROS, including certain oncogenes [19]. Furthermore, Cu/Zn-SOD appears to protect against DNA strand breaks caused by superoxide, underscoring its potential significance in cancer treatment [20]. Because Cu/Zn-SOD relies on both Cu and Zn for functionality, the balance of these metals in the blood, rather than their absolute levels, is essential for DNA stability.
Se is present in plants and animal tissues, and its concentration depends on geographic location and soil region [21]. Its deficiency in the human body can affect the cardiac, reproductive, and immune systems [22]. It is an important trace element that integrates selenoproteins such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), iodothyronine deiodinases, thioredoxin reductase, and selenoprotein S, P, and W found in the human placenta [22,23]. Selenoproteins contain selenocysteine in their active site and act to protect the endothelium, as they reduce inflammation by controlling the expression of the adhesion molecule, which is induced by cytokines [24,25].
Glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductases, selenoprotein P, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) participate in the natural antioxidant defense system within the human placenta [26,27]. During pregnancy, Se levels and glutathione peroxidase activity typically decline. To enhance antioxidant activity, a daily intake of 60 µg of Se is recommended [21,23]. The explanation for the etiopathogenesis of PE is still unknown; however, some studies suggest that pre-eclampsia may be linked to the exacerbation of inflammation, which can cause problems in the endothelium [26]. Additionally, other studies indicate that supplementation with Se and other antioxidants could reduce the risk of developing PE [28,29].
The present study aims to perform a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines, using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and the quality of the report and Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Tools to determine whether Zn, Cu, and Se deficiency in pregnant women might develop or induce PE to support clinical and governmental healthcare actions.

2. Materials and Methods

We searched for clinical studies published between January 2000 and January 2024 in PubMed/Medline, Embase, Lilacs, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases using Medical Subject Heading (MESH) terms for micronutrients, PE, eclampsia, Zn, Cu, Se, woman, and pregnant. The review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022302298).
Inclusion Criteria: population: pregnant women compared to controls (non-pregnant); micronutrient intervention; blood, urine, and/or tissue micronutrients (Cu, Se, and/or Zn) determination. Types of studies eligible for inclusion: randomized trials, case–controls, cohort studies, and case reports written in English or Portuguese.
Exclusion Criteria: population: animal research, non-pregnant women, lack of micronutrient measurement (Cu, Se, Zn); micronutrients analyzed after delivery. Non-eligible studies: reviews, comments, abstracts, points of view, posters, and editorials.
Data Extraction: Two independent groups with four researchers each (PG, AG, FHP, DGT) (CHI, KTM, DB, SAG) selected the reports after analyzing the titles and abstracts. After comparing the results, duplicate reports were excluded. The selected reports were analyzed by the two independent groups and data were extracted. Disagreements were solved through debate and if necessary, by a third set of researchers (CMC, EAG). Missing data was obtained by contacting the authors via email.
Risk of bias and quality assessment: The risk of bias characteristics was assessed, including method of randomization, treatment allocation, micronutrient analysis, blood arterial pressure measurement, age, sex, time of sample collection, period of gestation, and absence of comorbidity information, including obesity (Body Mass Index—BMI), diabetes, previous hypertension, and renal diseases, which decreased the quality of evaluation. We used the Cochrane risk of bias tool to classify the studies as green (no/low), yellow (fair), and red (high). The quality of the reports was analyzed using Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Tools. After analysis, the reports were classified as green (good), yellow (fair), and red (bad). Primary outcome: PE; Secondary outcome: hypertension without proteinuria.

3. Results and Discussion

Women with PE are four times more likely to develop chronic hypertension and have approximately twice the risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, and thromboembolism [30]. This review seeks to support medical and governmental clinical actions to address these risks. Maintaining adequate nutritional status during a woman’s reproductive years is essential for preparing the body for a healthy pregnancy and fetal development, particularly during the first trimester, the most critical period for the development of various organs [31]. This review focuses on the role of Zn, Cu, and Se in the context of PE.
The flowchart below (Figure 1) shows how our selections were made and the respective amounts of each micronutrient. The flowchart and tables show the reports by individual micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Se) found.
The discrepancy between the total number of articles analyzed and the number included or excluded arises because some reports cover multiple micronutrients and are, therefore, counted more than once in the flowchart: an article could be excluded for one micronutrient but still be relevant for another, leading to its inclusion in certain analyses. Each micronutrient in a multi-nutrient study is independently evaluated and documented in the corresponding table for that nutrient. For example, a study involving Zn, Cu, and Se would have data for each micronutrient listed separately in their respective tables. In cases where quality classification discrepancies occurred, a third group of reviewers conducted a re-analysis to reach a final decision.
The 76 reports in the flowchart correspond to 42 manuscripts suitable for analysis (contained one or more micronutrients). The 42 manuscripts analyzed are shown in Table 1.
The analysis was performed individually (by micronutrient), with 69 classified as low-quality reports with bias. The following tables present the individual evaluations conducted for each paper. The papers were cross-analyzed and final scores were assigned, with the lowest score chosen as a precautionary measure. Table 2 summarizes the findings for the micronutrient Cu, Table 3 for Zn, and Table 4 for Se.
Table 3 presents the results of the analysis for the micronutrient Zn. Among the 27 reports evaluated, a significant proportion—14 studies (51.8%)—were classified as low quality (red). Only two reports (7.4%) were rated as high quality (green), one with no/low risk of bias and one with moderate risk, while 11 (40.7%) were considered of moderate quality (yellow). Additionally, 17 studies (62.9%) were found to have a high risk of bias (red), underscoring the considerable limitations in the reliability of these findings. Seven reports (29.6%) were identified as having a moderate risk of bias.
Table 4 outlines the results of the analysis of the micronutrient Se. Notably, none of the 18 reports were rated as high quality (green, 0%), indicating a complete absence of studies with no or low risk of bias. A significant majority—11 studies (61.1%)—were classified as low quality (red), reflecting substantial concerns regarding the overall standard of research in this field. The remaining seven reports (38.9%) were considered moderate quality (yellow). Furthermore, 12 studies (66.7%) demonstrated a high risk of bias (red), while six reports (33.3%) were identified as having a moderate risk of bias (yellow). The following tables were background colored to facilitate the readability for each micronutrient.
Analyzing an isolated micronutrient in pregnant women is challenging because most reports include multiple nutrients or other parameters, and the methods for quantifying micronutrients and the biological materials used vary (blood, placenta, umbilical cord, toenail). Our systematic review showed that most manuscripts did not adequately describe the identification of PE and failed to describe comorbidities, clinical conditions such as BMI and/or proteinuria, and age differences. Some studies also used men or non-pregnant women as controls, further diminishing the quality of the studies. In addition, the manuscripts did not show or discuss the normal clinical reference level of micronutrient range and the increase or decrease in micronutrient levels between groups, leading to bias in the conclusions.
Most reports on Cu did not analyze it alone; instead, they examined its association with other micronutrients such as Zn (because of the Cu/Zn-SOD relationship), Se, and magnesium (Mg), among others. Kiran et al. [46] suggested that one of the main causes of PE is oxidative imbalance and decreased antioxidant activities. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme preventing damage caused by free radicals, and Zn serve as enzymatic cofactors. Therefore, alterations in the homeostasis of this mineral can trigger oxidative/inflammatory processes such as PE. Additionally, pregnancy is associated with increased Cu retention, likely due to hormonal changes that reduce biliary Cu excretion [68]. The normal ranges of Cu, Zn, and Se (serum sample) according to Abbassi-Ghanabati et al. [69] are shown in Table 5.
Several studies have indicated a significantly lower concentration of serum Cu in patients with severe PE. However, most of these studies exhibit at least one significant bias or error in their design. For instance, Lewandoswka et al. [24] selected a participant group with an age range of 18 to 45 years but did not consider age as a predisposition to increased occurrence of hypertension. Another study by Enebe et al. [27] demonstrated lower Cu levels in the study group compared to the control, but statistical analysis revealed similar levels when considering the standard deviation stipulated by the study. Furthermore, this study did not provide information on gestational age or the study period, constituting a second bias that diminishes the study’s quality.
Of the reports involving Cu analysis, only five out of 31 were considered good quality and without or with low bias. For Zn analysis, one report out of 27 studies was considered good and there was no report considered good for Se from 17 analyses. Good quality reports for Cu, such as Fenzl et al. [45], Elmugabil et al. [47], and Gul et al. [56], concluded that there are no differences in Cu levels between normal pregnant or PE women, while Rafeeinia et al. [50] and Polat et al. [38] showed an increase in Cu levels in PE. Rafeeinia et al. [50] showed an increase in Cu levels in mild PE and severe PE compared to normal women in the third trimester of gestation (the values found for normal pregnancy were in accordance with reference values and for mild PE were similar to the second trimester (2.26 ± 0.48 μg/dL). For severe PE, they found 270 ± 85 μg/dL). Polat et al. [38], studying PE’s correlation with thrombophilia in Turkish women, found, as an independent marker, higher concentrations of Cu in PE women (210.95 ± 56.58 μg/dL) in the third trimester. The concentration in normal pregnant women at the same period (121.21 + 25.08 μg/dL) was elevated above the reference value, introducing potential bias in the study findings.
Ilhan et al. [49] did not provide details on the inclusion and exclusion criteria or demographic characteristics of the study participants, limiting the ability to generalize the findings. Although proteinuria was reported in 21 patients, it was observed in only 20 of the 22 patients included in the study, suggesting possible discrepancy in the data. The study also did not address BMI, a critical factor in the context of PE, which may impact the interpretation of the findings. Cu levels were within the normal range, despite minor variations, whereas Zn levels were consistently above the normal reference range. Notably, Zn levels were elevated in both normal and non-pregnant women, exceeding reference values and potentially introducing bias in the study outcomes. This elevation in Zn levels, particularly in non-pregnant women, may skew the interpretation of micronutrient status in relation to PE.
Atamer et al. [64] investigated serum levels of Cu, Zn, and Se, along with serum malondialdehyde (MDA), leptin, placental MDA, and glutathione (GSH). In the third trimester, Cu levels were elevated in PE patients compared to healthy pregnant women but remained within the reference range for normal pregnancy and non-pregnant groups. Regarding Zn levels in PE, the values found were consistent with references, whereas they were elevated in the normal pregnancy group. For Se, typical levels were observed in both non-pregnant and normal pregnancy groups, but a slight reduction was noted in PE patients. Although a significant negative correlation between Cu and Se levels was found in pre-eclamptic women (r = −0.407, p < 0.05), the authors did not contextualize this finding in relation to reference values or investigate potential associations with Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Moreover, the study did not compare findings to established reference data or account for potential micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy, limiting the interpretability and broader implications of the results.
Kashanian et al. [39] supplemented Cu at a dosage of 1000 mg during pregnancy to assess its effects on pregnancy outcomes and the incidence of premature rupture of membranes. They did not observe any adverse pregnancy outcomes, though they noted a reduction in maternal depressive symptoms. However, the age range of the participants was broad (18–35 years), potentially introducing variability, and the study did not measure Cu levels before or after supplementation, limiting insight into how supplementation may have impacted serum Cu levels directly.
In contrast, Keshavarz et al. [52] and Jamal et al. [55] did not indicate in their exclusion criteria whether patients were using micronutrient supplements, which may have influenced their findings, as their reported Cu levels for normal pregnancies were notably higher than reference values. Specifically, Elmugabil et al. [47] reported Cu levels of 2.76 ± 1.2 mg/L (276 ± 120 μg/dL) and Abo-Elmatty et al. [53] reported levels of 0.39 ± 0.02 mg/dL (390 ± 20 μg/dL), both exceeding the typical reference range of 130–140 μg/dL. In PE patients, Keshavarz et al. [52] observed Cu levels of 2.01 ± 0.83 mg/L (201 ± 83 μg/dL),
Enebe et al. [27] did not specify the timing of sample collection for determining Cu concentrations, making it challenging to accurately compare their findings with reference data. Nevertheless, their results indicated that patients with PE had Cu levels like those of non-pregnant women, while normal pregnant women had Cu levels within reference limits for the second trimester. Sak et al. [40], in contrast, collected samples after the 20th week of gestation—corresponding to the second or third trimester—but did not discuss their findings in relation to reference data. In their study, normal pregnant women exhibited Cu levels of 62.6 μg/dL, which are below the standard reference range. This underestimation of normal pregnancy values could introduce bias in the interpretation, as it may exaggerate the apparent elevation of Cu levels in PE patients.
Açikgoz et al. [44], Kolusari et al. [66], Negi et al. [29], Katz et al. [63], and Rayman et al. [28] analyzed the micronutrient levels in samples from various tissues, including placenta, umbilical cord, and toenail, without reporting reference ranges. These samples were deemed less representative of gestational nutritional status, as micronutrient concentrations in the placenta and umbilical cord can fluctuate during labor due to physiological changes, placental function, maternal stress, umbilical blood flow variability, and hormonal shifts. Rayman et al. [28] uniquely analyzed toenail samples collected before delivery, between 3 and 12 months prior; however, the exact timing of collection was not specified, nor were comparisons made across gestational periods. Furthermore, there is no established reference range for Se in toenail tissue, complicating any reliable interpretation or conclusions from these findings.
Several studies, including those conducted by Ilhan et al. [49], Serdar et al. [36], Kiran et al. [46], and Monia et al. [41] compared Cu levels in PE women with those in normotensive pregnant women. However, their conclusions also included comparisons of Zn levels between PE and non-pregnant women, introducing significant bias due to the lack of consistency in the comparison groups.
In the study performed by Serdar et al. [36], no comorbidities were reported beyond hypertension. While Cu levels were measured through ceruloplasmin quantification—a potentially useful tool—its accuracy as an indicator of Cu status is limited. For a more reliable assessment, it is recommended to complement ceruloplasmin measurements with direct serum and urinary Cu quantification, as noted by Roberts and Schilsky et al. [70]. This approach would improve the precision of Cu status evaluations, providing a more robust basis for analyzing Cu-related outcomes in pregnancy.
In the report by Onyegbule et al. [51], patient stratification was insufficient, as both young and advanced maternal age are recognized as risk factors for PE. The study reported a mean age of 27 ± 7 years, with ages ranging from 15 to 37 years, yet failed to control age-related risks. Cu values for normotensive pregnant women were below the normal range, while those for PE patients fell within normal limits. Additionally, sample collection occurred only after the 20th week of gestation, which limits insight into Cu levels earlier in pregnancy.
The Farzin et al. [65] study included participants with a broad BMI range (19–30), thus combining non-obese and obese pregnant women, with mean BMI values of 26.84 ± 2.15 for normotensive and 27.11 ± 3.22 for hypertensive groups. However, no further clinical information was provided aside from blood pressure and hemoglobin levels, limiting the study’s depth in analyzing PE-related factors. In contrast, Al-Jameil et al. [20] reported contradictory inclusion and exclusion criteria by defining a BMI > 35 as an inclusion criterion but subsequently excluding obese participants, making consistent analysis of BMI’s impact on PE unfeasible.
Choi et al. [62] conducted a study in South Korea that included 245 pregnant women with a wide range of ages (24–43.9 years) and BMI values (16–29.6 kg/m2). Their control group consisted of 300 men and 227 non-pregnant women ranging in age from 25 to 82 years old, which weakens the reliability of the comparisons. The study used a reference range of 55–150 μg/dL for serum Cu levels. Among the 245 pregnant participants, only five were diagnosed with PE, with two showing elevated and three showing lower-than-normal Cu levels, though exact values were not provided. The discussion section was challenging to follow, as it primarily focused on seasonal climate patterns without clearly linking these factors to micronutrient levels in PE. The inclusion of both non-pregnant women and men as controls complicates the interpretation, raising doubts about the validity of the conclusions, particularly for data on Zn and Se.
Basu et al. [61] presented their findings only through graphical data without providing exact values. The study was conducted in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), lacking normal pregnancy data for comparison. Sarwar et al. [54] provided clinical data for pregnancies with PE, but only blood pressure measurements were shown, with no other clinical information to distinguish PE from gestational hypertension. Sak et al. [40] also omitted these critical data.
Mistry et al. [60] conducted a study on Cu, Zn, and Se and antioxidant enzymes/genes in the first 15 weeks of gestation, drawing from multicenter samples in New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. However, they did not account for potential differences among these populations within the control and PE groups, a critical factor, as genetic and lifestyle variations across these regions could significantly affect outcomes. Despite these limitations, the study found Cu and Zn levels within normal ranges. The authors proposed that the observed reduction in Se concentration and GPx activity, as well as the increased oxidative stress at delivery, might be consequences of, rather than contributors to, the oxidative stress seen in PE; thus, these findings do not support a preventative role for micronutrient supplementation, given that PE is likely to originate early in pregnancy. Furthermore, the study did not track micronutrient levels later in pregnancy (after the 20th week), missing temporal data.
The study by Rezende et al. [67] aimed to explore correlations between antiangiogenic factors and trace elements in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. However, it lacked data on patient BMI and the timing of sample collection. The Cu levels reported were aligned with values typically seen in non-pregnant women, and the increased levels observed were consistent with those found in the second trimester of pregnancy. Without specifying the collection timing, it is not possible to verify the authors’ conclusion regarding elevated Cu levels.
Harma et al. [43] measured Zn concentrations relative to plasma protein, a non-standard method that was not clarified in the study’s methodology. Without reference values for this approach, interpreting the results as normal or abnormal is impossible. Similarly, Brito et al. [32] did not resolve whether Zn concentrations in pregnant women play a role in promoting or preventing PE, which marks the study as inconclusive. Although the report’s abstract mentions a wide age range (17–44 years) for the participants, this information was not reflected in the tables. Zn levels in pregnant women prior to delivery were below normal reference values, returning to normal post-delivery. This fluctuation suggests that the lower Zn levels observed in women with PE may be biased.
Kiran et al. [46] reported that Cu levels in PE women were within the normal reference range for non-pregnant women. However, normotensive pregnant women exhibited Cu levels (108 μg/dL) above the reference data (91 μg/dL), suggesting an elevation in Cu concentrations during pregnancy that warrants further investigation.
In contrast, Keshavarz et al. [52] and Jamal et al. [55] did not clarify whether their participants were using micronutrient supplementation, which complicates the interpretation of their findings. Both studies reported unusually high Cu levels for normal pregnancies compared to reference values. Keshavarz et al. [52] found Cu levels of 0.87 ± 0.30 mg/L (870 ± 300 μg/dL), while Abo-Elmatty et al. [39] reported 0.39 ± 0.02 mg/dL (390 ± 20 μg/dL), both far exceeding the reference range of 130–140 μg/dL for serum Cu. For PE women, Elmugabil et al. [47] observed Cu levels of 2.01 ± 0.83 mg/L, while Abo-Elmatty [53] reported 0.15 ± 0.7 mg/dL, both within the normal range for the third trimester of pregnancy. These discrepancies suggest potential misunderstandings, including the lack of information on supplementation, which could explain the elevated Cu levels in the normal pregnancy group.
Yusrawati et al. [35] conducted a study where pregnant women completed questionnaires about their nutrition, following written informed consent. Participants provided data on their nutritional status and pre-pregnancy BMI after delivery, with dietary information assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and analyzed using the Nutrisurvey program. The study aimed to investigate the association between obesity and PE. However, the exclusive reliance on self-reported data introduces potential bias, and the study does not specify how nutrient concentrations were measured, which limits the assessment of the data’s accuracy and reliability.
The work of Gul et al. [56] uniquely reports findings that correlate Zn and Cu levels with established reference values, investigating their relationship. The Zn levels were found to be within the normal range, whereas Cu levels were elevated. However, as the study was conducted between the 28th and 40th weeks of gestation, it remains unclear how many participants were in the 28th week, a period when Cu levels may still reflect second-trimester values. Clarifying this distinction would strengthen the interpretation of the findings.
The reports investigating the role of serum Se concentrations in PE have been extensive, but they exhibit varying levels of quality and bias, as summarized in Table 3. Many studies, including those by Rayman et al. [28], Farzin et al. [65], Katz et al. [63], Negi et al. [29], Haque et al. [42], Da Silva et al. [21], Eze et al. [26], and Enebe [27], failed to properly stratify their patient populations or define the methods used to measure blood pressure in obese pregnant women, leaving significant gaps in the evaluation and diminishing the quality of their findings. This lack of rigor contributes to considerable bias in the interpretation of the results.
Other studies demonstrate even more profound issues with bias and study quality. Basu et al. [61] reported no significant differences between their control and PE groups but failed to provide statistical analyses, making their conclusions questionable. Similarly, Mistry et al. [60] claimed no significant differences between groups but used PE risk as an exclusion criterion, potentially masking any true effects.
Kim et al. [57] reported lower serum Se concentrations in women who developed PE compared to those with healthy pregnancies, a finding consistent with other studies in this analysis. However, this pattern of lower micronutrient concentrations in pre-eclamptic women is pervasive across many of the reviewed studies, raising questions about the consistency and accuracy of the data. Ghaemi et al. [25] reported significant differences between groups, but inconsistencies regarding the number of participants—mentioning 650 but only analyzing 75—raise concerns about the study’s reliability. Maleki et al. [59] found significant differences but did not appropriately stratify subjects on supplementation regimens, undermining the credibility of their results. Mistry et al. [60] reported significant differences but limited their study to a homogenous group of Caucasian participants, reducing the variability necessary for generalizable conclusions.
This trend suggests that while there are correlations between micronutrient levels and PE, the quality of the evidence is compromised by biases and methodological shortcomings. These findings underscore the need for more rigorous, high-quality studies to further investigate the role of micronutrients in the development of PE and to clarify the potential mechanisms involved.
Maleki et al. [47] found significant differences between their groups, but several of their participants were on supplementation treatments, and they did not adequately stratify the type of supplements being consumed, which undermines the credibility of their results. Mistry et al. [48] also found significant differences between groups but failed to properly stratify patients’ characteristics, further limiting the study’s validity.
Unfortunately, the insufficient data in the analyzed articles and the scattered presentation of data make a proper meta-analysis impossible. The lack of data, improper stratification, and the absence of credibility in the presented data contribute to a chaotic analysis that ultimately does not yield credible results. This reveals heterogeneity among most articles, preventing confirmation of the hypothesis.
This pattern of methodological flaws and inconsistencies is evident across most studies reviewed in this analysis, highlighting the need for more rigorous and high-quality research. The current body of evidence calls into question the veracity and coherence of the findings, emphasizing the necessity for better-controlled studies to explore the potential connection between micronutrients and the development of PE. This systematic review revealed that, based on the available data, it would not be feasible to conduct a meta-analysis, as the resulting meta-analysis would also carry bias and would not offer scientific value [71].
In 2024, Huang and Lu [72] performed a mendelian randomization analysis of genetically predicted circulating levels of beta-carotene, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, calcium, Zn, Se, Cu, folate, and phosphorus to investigate potential causal links between the risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Their findings also did not provide robust evidence to establish a causal relationship between these micronutrients and hypertensive conditions in pregnancy. In 2025, a review conducted by Ushida et al. [13] reinforced no benefits in Zn supplementation for PE prevention.

4. Conclusions

In conclusion, this review highlights a critical deficiency in the quality of studies investigating the relationship between micronutrient levels and the development of PE. Despite five studies on Cu being classified as high quality, their findings remain inconclusive, with three reporting no differences in Cu concentrations between normal pregnancies and PE cases, while two observed elevated levels in PE women. Regarding Zn, the only two high-quality studies available found no significant differences in Zn levels between normal and PE pregnancies. For Se, no studies met the criteria for high quality. The findings indicate that a substantial number of studies suffer from methodological limitations and potential biases, compromising the reliability of the reported results. Therefore, we emphasize the need for rigorous study design, standardized methodologies, and critical evaluation before publication to enhance the robustness and validity of research in this field.

Study Limitations

The major limitation of our study is the language restriction, as only articles published in English or Portuguese were included, which may have led to the exclusion of relevant studies published in other languages. Another limitation of this study was the difficulty in finding normal values of micronutrients in pregnant women according to country or ethnicity. The study relied solely on the reference by Abbassi-Ghanabati et al. [69] as clinical values for comparison with the data from the reports, which may introduce bias into our results. Additionally, the high number of biased and low-quality studies hindered the performance of meta-analysis, as it would have resulted in skewed outcomes, limiting our study. Less than 10% of the manuscripts were suitable for analysis, and none included new techniques for PE detection. Furthermore, many of the studies analyzed presented biases due to the absence of a standardized protocol that considers patient age, micronutrient levels, supplementation, BMI, proteinuria, blood pressure, and other factors as inclusion and exclusion criteria. Variations in sample collection periods, materials used, and techniques applied for micronutrient detection further contributed to inconsistencies.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization: C.M.C., E.A.G. and D.G.T.; Data collection and analysis: P.d.S.G., A.N.G., F.H.P., D.G.T., C.H.L.I., K.d.T.M., D.B. and S.A.G.; Writing the manuscript: A.N.G., F.H.P., C.H.L.I., K.d.T.M., D.B. and C.M.C.; Review update and analysis: D.B. and C.H.L.I.; Supervision: C.M.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

The APC was funded by the School of Medicine, Union of the Colleges of the Great Lakes (UNILAGO), São José do Rio Preto 15030-070, SP, Brazil.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article. All other information can be requested from the corresponding author.

Acknowledgments

We thank the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) for financial support and Scientific Initiation fellowship 23/08687-7, 23/15774-3 (D.B.), the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for the productivity fellowship level 2, 306009/2022-6 (C.M.C.) and 309401/2021-6 (D.G.T.), and the School of Medicine, Union of the Colleges of the Great Lakes (UNILAGO), for the APC funding.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

  1. Jiang, T.; Christian, P.; Khatry, S.K.; Wu, L.; West, K.P. Micronutrient Deficiencies in Early Pregnancy Are Common, Concurrent, and Vary by Season among Rural Nepali Pregnant Women. J. Nutr. 2005, 135, 1106–1112. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  2. WHO Antenatal Care Recommendations for a Positive Pregnancy Experience. Nutritional Interventions Update: Multiple Micronutrient Supplements During Pregnancy, 1st ed.; World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland, 2020; ISBN 978-92-4-000778-9.
  3. Salam, R.A.; Zuberi, N.F.; Bhutta, Z.A. Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) Supplementation during Pregnancy or Labour for Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2015, 6, CD000179. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  4. Darnton-Hill, I.; Mkparu, U. Micronutrients in Pregnancy in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Nutrients 2015, 7, 1744–1768. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  5. Poon, L.C.; Shennan, A.; Hyett, J.A.; Kapur, A.; Hadar, E.; Divakar, H.; McAuliffe, F.; Da Silva Costa, F.; Von Dadelszen, P.; McIntyre, H.D.; et al. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Initiative on Pre-eclampsia: A Pragmatic Guide for First-trimester Screening and Prevention. Int. J. Gynecol. Obstet. 2019, 145, 1–33. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  6. Roberts, J.M. Preeclampsia Epidemiology(Ies) and Pathophysiology(Ies). Best Pract. Res. Clin. Obstet. Gynaecol. 2024, 94, 102480. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  7. Jung, E.; Romero, R.; Yeo, L.; Gomez-Lopez, N.; Chaemsaithong, P.; Jaovisidha, A.; Gotsch, F.; Erez, O. The Etiology of Preeclampsia. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 2022, 226, S844–S866. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Farhat, G.; Lees, E.; Macdonald-Clarke, C.; Amirabdollahian, F. Inadequacies of Micronutrient Intake in Normal Weight and Overweight Young Adults Aged 18-25 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study. Public Health 2019, 167, 70–77. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  9. Park-Wyllie, L.; Mazzotta, P.; Pastuszak, A.; Moretti, M.E.; Beique, L.; Hunnisett, L.; Friesen, M.H.; Jacobson, S.; Kasapinovic, S.; Chang, D.; et al. Birth Defects after Maternal Exposure to Corticosteroids: Prospective Cohort Study and Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Studies. Teratology 2000, 62, 385–392. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Duan, S.; Jiang, Y.; Mou, K.; Wang, Y.; Zhou, S.; Sun, B. Correlation of Serum Vitamin A and Vitamin E Levels with the Occurrence and Severity of Preeclampsia. Am. J. Transl. Res. 2021, 13, 14203–14210. [Google Scholar]
  11. Kiondo, P.; Wamuyu-Maina, G.; Wandabwa, J.; Bimenya, G.S.; Tumwesigye, N.M.; Okong, P. The Effects of Vitamin C Supplementation on Pre-Eclampsia in Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2014, 14, 283. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  12. Fogacci, S.; Fogacci, F.; Banach, M.; Michos, E.D.; Hernandez, A.V.; Lip, G.Y.H.; Blaha, M.J.; Toth, P.P.; Borghi, C.; Cicero, A.F.G.; et al. Vitamin D Supplementation and Incident Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Clin. Nutr. Edinb. Scotl. 2020, 39, 1742–1752. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  13. Ushida, T.; Tano, S.; Matsuo, S.; Fuma, K.; Imai, K.; Kajiyama, H.; Kotani, T. Dietary Supplements and Prevention of Preeclampsia. Hypertens. Res. 2025, 1–14. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  14. Khaing, W.; Vallibhakara, S.A.-O.; Tantrakul, V.; Vallibhakara, O.; Rattanasiri, S.; McEvoy, M.; Attia, J.; Thakkinstian, A. Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation for Prevention of Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2017, 9, 1141. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Andreini, C.; Banci, L.; Bertini, I.; Rosato, A. Zinc through the Three Domains of Life. J. Proteome Res. 2006, 5, 3173–3178. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  16. Kambe, T.; Tsuji, T.; Hashimoto, A.; Itsumura, N. The Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Roles of Zinc Transporters in Zinc Homeostasis and Metabolism. Physiol. Rev. 2015, 95, 749–784. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  17. Portbury, S.; Adlard, P. Zinc Signal in Brain Diseases. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18, 2506. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. Younus, H. Therapeutic Potentials of Superoxide Dismutase. Int. J. Health Sci. 2018, 12, 88–93. [Google Scholar]
  19. Yu, C.; Wang, P.; Li, S.; Wang, X.; Yu, Z.; Wang, Z. The Protective Effect of Cu/Zn-SOD against Oxidative Stress after PTEN Deletion. Cancer Investig. 2011, 29, 253–256. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. Ratn, A.; Prasad, R.; Awasthi, Y.; Kumar, M.; Misra, A.; Trivedi, S.P. Zn2+ Induced Molecular Responses Associated with Oxidative Stress, DNA Damage and Histopathological Lesions in Liver and Kidney of the Fish, Channa Punctatus (Bloch, 1793). Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf. 2018, 151, 10–20. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Da Silva, A.C.; Martins-Costa, S.H.; Valério, E.G.; Lopes Ramos, J.G. Comparison of Serum Selenium Levels among Hypertensive and Normotensive Pregnant Women. Hypertens. Pregnancy 2017, 36, 64–69. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  22. Vanderlelie, J.; Perkins, A.V.A. Selenium and Preeclampsia: A Global Perspective. Pregnancy Hypertens. 2011, 1, 213–224. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  23. Mistry, H.D.; Williams, P.J. The Importance of Antioxidant Micronutrients in Pregnancy. Oxid. Med. Cell. Longev. 2011, 2011, 841749. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  24. Lewandowska, M.; Sajdak, S.; Lubiński, J. Serum Selenium Level in Early Healthy Pregnancy as a Risk Marker of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension. Nutrients 2019, 11, 1028. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  25. Ghaemi, S.Z.; Forouhari, S.; Dabbaghmanesh, M.H.; Sayadi, M.; Bakhshayeshkaram, M.; Vaziri, F.; Tavana, Z. A Prospective Study of Selenium Concentration and Risk of Preeclampsia in Pregnant Iranian Women: A Nested Case–Control Study. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2013, 152, 174–179. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  26. Eze, S.C.; Ododo, N.A.; Ugwu, E.O.; Enebe, J.T.; Onyegbule, O.A.; Eze, I.O.; Ezem, B.U. Serum Selenium Levels of Pre-Eclamptic and Normal Pregnant Women in Nigeria: A Comparative Study. PLoS ONE 2020, 15, e0238263. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  27. Enebe, J.T.; Dim, C.C.; Ugwu, E.O.; Enebe, N.O.; Meka, I.A.; Obioha, K.C.; Eleje, G.U.; Nwagha, U.I. Serum Antioxidant Micronutrient Levels in Pre-Eclamptic Pregnant Women in Enugu, South-East Nigeria: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Analytical Study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2020, 20, 392. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Rayman, M.P.; Bode, P.; Redman, C.W.G. Low Selenium Status Is Associated with the Occurrence of the Pregnancy Disease Preeclampsia in Women from the United Kingdom. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 2003, 189, 1343–1349. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Negi, R.; Pande, D.; Karki, K.; Kumar, A.; Khanna, R.S.; Khanna, H.D. Trace Elements and Antioxidant Enzymes Associated with Oxidative Stress in the Pre-Eclamptic/Eclamptic Mothers during Fetal Circulation. Clin. Nutr. 2012, 31, 946–950. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Zanette, E.; Parpinelli, M.A.; Surita, F.G.; Costa, M.L.; Haddad, S.M.; Sousa, M.H.; Silva, J.L.P.E.; Souza, J.P.; Cecatti, J.G. Brazilian Network for Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbidity Group Maternal near Miss and Death among Women with Severe Hypertensive Disorders: A Brazilian Multicenter Surveillance Study. Reprod. Health 2014, 11, 4. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. Schaefer, E. Micronutrient Deficiency in Women Living in Industrialized Countries During the Reproductive Years: Is There a Basis for Supplementation with Multiple Micronutrients? J. Nutr. Disord. Ther. 2016, 6, 199. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  32. Araùjo Brito, J.; Nascimento Marreiro, D.D.; Machado Moita Neto, J.; Michelle Costa e Silva, D.; Gonçalves de Sousa Almondes, K.; Valadares Neto, J.D.; Nascimento Nogueira, N.D. LA ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA DE LA ENZIMA SUPERÓXIDO DISMUTASA Y ZINCEMIA EN. Nutr. Hosp. 2013, 28, 486–490. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  33. Wibowo, N.; Kurniawan, R.H.; Irwinda, R.; Prameswari, N. Maternal and Cord Blood Cyclophilin A in Severe Preeclampsia and Normal Pregnancy and Its Correlation with Vitamin D and Zinc. Hypertens. Pregnancy 2017, 36, 283–287. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  34. Bahadoran, P.; Zendehdel, M.; Movahedian, A.; Zahraee, R.H. The Relationship between Serum Zinc Level and Preeclampsia. Iran. J. Nurs. Midwifery Res. 2010, 15, 120–124. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  35. Yusrawati; Saputra, N.P.K.; Lipoeto, N.I.; Machmud, R. Analyses of Nutrients and Body Mass Index as Risk Factor for Preeclampsia. J. Obstet. Gynaecol. India 2017, 67, 409–413. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  36. Serdar, Z.; Gür, E.; Develioğlu, O. Serum Iron and Copper Status and Oxidative Stress in Severe and Mild Preeclampsia. Cell Biochem. Funct. 2006, 24, 209–215. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  37. Al-Jameil, N.; Tabassum, H.; Al-Mayouf, H.; Aljohar, H.I.; Alenzi, N.D.; Hijazy, S.M.; Khan, F.A. Analysis of Serum Trace Elements-Copper, Manganese and Zinc in Preeclamptic Pregnant Women by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry: A Prospective Case Controlled Study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Int. J. Clin. Exp. Pathol. 2014, 7, 1900–1910. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  38. Polat, M.; Biberoğlu, E.H.; Güler, İ.; Biberoğlu, Ö.K. Coexistence of Preeclampsia and Inherited Thrombophilia in Turkish Pregnant Women. Turk. J. Med. Sci. 2016, 46, 1094–1100. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  39. Kashanian, M.; Hadizadeh, H.; Faghankhani, M.; Nazemi, M.; Sheikhansari, N. Evaluating the Effects of Copper Supplement during Pregnancy on Premature Rupture of Membranes and Pregnancy Outcome. J. Matern.-Fetal Neonatal Med. Off. J. Eur. Assoc. Perinat. Med. Fed. Asia Ocean. Perinat. Soc. Int. Soc. Perinat. Obstet. 2018, 31, 39–46. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  40. Sak, S.; Barut, M.; Çelik, H.; Incebiyik, A.; Ağaçayak, E.; Uyanikoglu, H.; Kirmit, A.; Sak, M. Copper and Ceruloplasmin Levels Are Closely Related to the Severity of Preeclampsia. J. Matern. Fetal Neonatal Med. 2020, 33, 96–102. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  41. Monia, M.-M.; Fethi, B.A.; Wafa, L.-B.A.; Hédi, R. Status of Zinc and Copper in Pregnant Women and Their Changes during Preeclampsia. Ann. Biol. Clin. (Paris) 2012, 70, 423–429. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  42. Haque, M.d.M.; Moghal, M.d.M.R.; Sarwar, M.d.S.; Anonna, S.N.; Akter, M.; Karmakar, P.; Ahmed, S.; Sattar, M.; Islam, M.S. Low Serum Selenium Concentration Is Associated with Preeclampsia in Pregnant Women from Bangladesh. J. Trace Elem. Med. Biol. 2016, 33, 21–25. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  43. Harma, M.; Harma, M.; Kocyigit, A. Correlation Between Maternal Plasma Homocysteine and Zinc Levels in Preeclamptic Women. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2005, 104, 097–106. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  44. Açikgoz, S.; Harma, M.; Harma, M.; Mungan, G.; Can, M.; Demirtas, S. Comparison of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme, Malonaldehyde, Zinc, and Copper Levels in Preeclampsia. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2006, 113, 1–8. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  45. Fenzl, V.; Flegar-Meštrić, Z.; Perkov, S.; Andrišić, L.; Tatzber, F.; Žarković, N.; Duić, Ž. Trace Elements and Oxidative Stress in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy. Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. 2013, 287, 19–24. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  46. Bakacak, M.; Kılınç, M.; Serin, S.; Ercan, Ö.; Köstü, B.; Avcı, F.; Kıran, H.; Kıran, G. Changes in Copper, Zinc, and Malondialdehyde Levels and Superoxide Dismutase Activities in Pre-Eclamptic Pregnancies. Med. Sci. Monit. 2015, 21, 2414–2420. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  47. Elmugabil, A.; Hamdan, H.Z.; Elsheikh, A.E.; Rayis, D.A.; Adam, I.; Gasim, G.I. Serum Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc and Copper Levels in Sudanese Women with Preeclampsia. PLoS ONE 2016, 11, e0167495. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  48. Al-Shalah, H.H.; Al-Hilli, N.M.; Hasan, M.A. The Association of Serum Iron, Zinc, and Copper Levels with Preeclampsia. Med. J. Babylon 2015, 12, 1027–1036. [Google Scholar]
  49. Ilhan, N.; Ilhan, N.; Simsek, M. The Changes of Trace Elements, Malondialdehyde Levels and Superoxide Dismutase Activities in Pregnancy with or without Preeclampsia. Clin. Biochem. 2002, 35, 393–397. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  50. Rafeeinia, A.; Tabandeh, A.; Khajeniazi, S.; Marjani, A.J. Serum Copper, Zinc and Lipid Peroxidation in Pregnant Women with Preeclampsia in Gorgan. Open Biochem. J. 2014, 8, 83–88. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  51. Onyegbule, A.O.; Onah, C.; Iheukwumere, B.; Udo, J.; Atuegbu, C.; Nosakhare, N. Serum Copper and Zinc Levels in Preeclamptic Nigerian Women. Niger. Med. J. 2016, 57, 182. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  52. Keshavarz, P.; Nobakht, M.; Gh, B.F.; Mirhafez, S.R.; Nematy, M.; Azimi-Nezhad, M.; Afin, S.A.; Esmaily, H.; Pourali, L.; Hakak, A.M.; et al. Alterations in Lipid Profile, Zinc and Copper Levels and Superoxide Dismutase Activities in Normal Pregnancy and Preeclampsia. Am. J. Med. Sci. 2017, 353, 552–558. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  53. Abo-Elmatty, D.M.; Badawy, E.A.; Hussein, J.S.; Elela, S.A.; Megahed, H.A. Role of Heme Oxygenase, Leptin, Coenzyme Q10 and Trace Elements in Pre-Eclamptic Women. Indian J. Clin. Biochem. 2012, 27, 379–384. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  54. Sarwar, M.S.; Ahmed, S.; Ullah, M.S.; Kabir, H.; Rahman, G.K.M.M.; Hasnat, A.; Islam, M.S. Comparative Study of Serum Zinc, Copper, Manganese, and Iron in Preeclamptic Pregnant Women. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2013, 154, 14–20. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  55. Jamal, B. To Determine the Effects of Copper, Zinc and Magnesium in Patients with Pre-Eclampsia. J. Liaquat Univ. Med. Health Sci. 2017, 16, 53–57. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  56. Gul, A.Z.; Atakul, N.; Selek, S.; Atamer, Y.; Sarıkaya, U.; Yıldız, T.; Demirel, M. Maternal Serum Levels of Zinc, Copper, and Thiols in Preeclampsia Patients: A Case-Control Study. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2022, 200, 464–472. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  57. Kim, J.; Kim, Y.J.; Lee, R.; Moon, J.H.; Jo, I. Serum Levels of Zinc, Calcium, and Iron Are Associated with the Risk of Preeclampsia in Pregnant Women. Nutr. Res. 2012, 32, 764–769. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  58. Maduray, K.; Moodley, J.; Soobramoney, C.; Moodley, R.; Naicker, T. Elemental Analysis of Serum and Hair from Pre-Eclamptic South African Women. J. Trace Elem. Med. Biol. 2017, 43, 180–186. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  59. Maleki, A.; Fard, M.K.; Zadeh, D.H.; Mamegani, M.A.; Abasaizadeh, S.; Mazloomzadeh, S. The Relationship between Plasma Level of Se and Preeclampsia. Hypertens. Pregnancy 2011, 30, 180–187. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  60. Mistry, H.D.; Gill, C.A.; Kurlak, L.O.; Seed, P.T.; Hesketh, J.E.; Méplan, C.; Schomburg, L.; Chappell, L.C.; Morgan, L.; Poston, L. Association between Maternal Micronutrient Status, Oxidative Stress, and Common Genetic Variants in Antioxidant Enzymes at 15 Weeks’ Gestation in Nulliparous Women Who Subsequently Develop Preeclampsia. Free Radic. Biol. Med. 2015, 78, 147–155. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  61. Basu, A.; Yu, J.Y.; Jenkins, A.J.; Nankervis, A.J.; Hanssen, K.F.; Henriksen, T.; Lorentzen, B.; Garg, S.K.; Menard, M.K.; Hammad, S.M.; et al. Trace Elements as Predictors of Preeclampsia in Type 1 Diabetic Pregnancy. Nutr. Res. 2015, 35, 421–430. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  62. Choi, R.; Sun, J.; Yoo, H.; Kim, S.; Cho, Y.; Kim, H.; Kim, S.; Chung, J.; Oh, S.; Lee, S.-Y. A Prospective Study of Serum Trace Elements in Healthy Korean Pregnant Women. Nutrients 2016, 8, 749. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  63. Katz, O.; Paz-Tal, O.; Lazer, T.; Aricha-Tamir, B.; Mazor, M.; Wiznitzer, A.; Sheiner, E. Severe Pre-Eclampsia Is Associated with Abnormal Trace Elements Concentrations in Maternal and Fetal Blood. J. Matern. Fetal Neonatal Med. 2012, 25, 1127–1130. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  64. Atamer, Y.; Koçyigit, Y.; Yokus, B.; Atamer, A.; Erden, A.C. Lipid Peroxidation, Antioxidant Defense, Status of Trace Metals and Leptin Levels in Preeclampsia. Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. 2005, 119, 60–66. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  65. Farzin, L.; Sajadi, F. Comparison of Serum Trace Element Levels in Patients with or without Pre-Eclampsia. J. Res. Med. Sci. 2012, 17, 938–941. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  66. Kolusari, A.; Kurdoglu, M.; Yildizhan, R.; Adali, E.; Edirne, T.; Cebi, A.; Demir, H.; Yoruk, I. Catalase Activity, Serum Trace Element and Heavy Metal Concentrations, and Vitamin A, D and E Levels in Pre-Eclampsia. J. Int. Med. Res. 2008, 36, 1335–1341. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  67. Rezende, V.B.; Barbosa, F.; Palei, A.C.; Cavalli, R.C.; Tanus-Santos, J.E.; Sandrim, V.C. Correlations among Antiangiogenic Factors and Trace Elements in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy. J. Trace Elem. Med. Biol. 2015, 29, 130–135. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  68. Walker, L.R.; Rattigan, M.; Canterino, J. A Case of Isolated Elevated Copper Levels during Pregnancy. J. Pregnancy 2011, 2011, 385767. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  69. Abbassi-Ghanavati, M.; Greer, L.G.; Cunningham, F.G. Pregnancy and Laboratory Studies: A Reference Table for Clinicians. Obstet. Gynecol. 2009, 114, 1326–1331. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  70. Roberts, E.A.; Schilsky, M.L. Diagnosis and Treatment of Wilson Disease: An Update. Hepatology 2008, 47, 2089–2111. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  71. Lensen, S. When to Pool Data in a Meta-Analysis (and When Not To)? Fertil. Steril. 2023, 119, 902–903. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  72. Huang, T.; Lu, F. Genetically Predicted Circulating Concentrations of Micronutrients and Risk of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: A Mendelian Randomization Study. Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. 2024, 310, 1019–1025. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Figure 1. Flowchart describing how the eligibility of the articles was decided.
Figure 1. Flowchart describing how the eligibility of the articles was decided.
Nutrients 17 01038 g001
Table 1. Reports and related micronutrients included in this review.
Table 1. Reports and related micronutrients included in this review.
Micronutrient (n Manuscripts)References
Zn (4)[32,33,34,35]
Cu (6)[36,37,38,39,40,41]
Se (6)[21,24,25,26,28,42]
Zn and Cu (15)[29,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56]
Zn and Se (2)[57,58]
Cu and Se (3)[59,60,61]
Cu, Zn, and Se (6)[27,29,62,63,64,65]
Table 2. Analysis of quality/bias of Cu reports.
Table 2. Analysis of quality/bias of Cu reports.
ReferenceStudy TypePatients (n)Age
Group
Time of MeasurementComorbiditiesOutcomesQualityRisk of Bias
[49]Case–control study30 PN
21 PE
PN and PE:
19–31
median 25
31st to 38th weeks of gestationNo comorbidities described in the study, besides
hypertension
Cu (μg/dL)
PN: 158.15 ± 27.86
PE: 176.73 ± 25.91
Nutrients 17 01038 i001Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[64]Cross-sectional prospective study28 PN
32 PE
PN:
25.85 ± 3.36
PE:
27.00 ± 3.89
PN:
36.53 ± 3.15 weeks
PE:
35.68 ± 2.94
weeks
No comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertensionCu (mg/L)
PN: 1.458 ± 0.396
PE: 2.612 ± 0.472
that corresponds to
Cu (μg/dL)
PN: 1–45.8 ± 39.6
PE: 261.2 ± 47.2
Nutrients 17 01038 i002Nutrients 17 01038 i002
[36]Cohort study30 PN
30 Mild PE
30 Severe PE
PN:
27 ± 4.1
Mild PE:
25 ± 2.3
Severe PE:
26 ± 1.9
31st to 38th weeks of pregnancy.No comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertensionCu (μg/dL)
PN: 159 ± 38
Mild PE: 188 ± 48
Severe PE: 192 ± 52
Nutrients 17 01038 i001Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[44]Cohort study20 PN
17 PE
PN:
26.4 ± 2.7
PE:
24.9 ± 2.5
After the 35th week of gestationNo comorbidities were reported, besides hypertension.Cu (µg/g placental tissue):
PN: 281.0 ± 88.4
PE: 269.7 ± 86.7
Nutrients 17 01038 i001Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[66]Case–control study48 PN
47 PE
PN:
27.92 ± 4.25
PE:
27.91 ± 5.21
Venous blood samples collected during weeks 29th to 38thNo comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertensionsample from placenta
Cu (μg/dL):
PN: 2.08 ± 0.46
PE: 2.65 ± 0.76
Nutrients 17 01038 i001Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[65]Case–control study60 PN
60 PE
PN:
26.66 ± 3.72
PE:
27.43 ± 3.91
30th–40th week of gestationNo comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertension and obesityCu (μg/dL):
PN: 116.55 +1 5.23
PE: 118.28 + 16.92
Nutrients 17 01038 i002Nutrients 17 01038 i002
[63]Prospective case–control study80 PN
43 PE
PN: 30.28 ± 5.7
PE: 27.23 ± 7.0
PN:
38.15 ± 2.19 until delivery.
PE:
37.72 ± 2.56 weeks until delivery.
No comorbidities described in the studyCu (μg/dL)
(1) cesarean delivery
Severe PE
Maternal–venous: 229.87 ± 95.59
Cord–artery: 69.46± 61.63
Cord–vein: 71.76 ± 58.26
PN:
Maternal–venous: 0.03817 ± 0.06319
Cord–artery: 90.46 ± 77.32
Cord–vein: 62.48± 65.82
(2) vaginal delivery
57.48
Cord–artery: 53.93 ± 22.1
Cord–vein: 52.63 ± 21.06
PN
Maternal–venous: 104.97± 87.74
Cord–artery: 99.35 ± 81.15
Cord–vein: 110.92 ± 88.54
(3) maternal and fetal blood.
Severe PE
Maternal–venous:
226.46 ± 75.17
Cord–artery:
58.16 ± 36.74
PN:
Maternal–venous:
104.8 ± 85.11
Cord–artery:
94.9 ± 78.88
Cord–vein:
86.69 ± 81.26
Nutrients 17 01038 i001Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[29]Case–control study18 PN
19 PE
14 E
PN: 25 ± 4
PE: 25 ± 4
E: 28 ± 4
During the partumNo comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertensionumbilical cord
Cu (µg/dL)
PN: 42.47 ± 8.23
PE: 34.93 ± 9.53
E: 26.09 ± 7.21
Nutrients 17 01038 i002Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[41]Prospective case–control56 PE + PNPE + PN:
31.0 ± 4.9
1st, 2nd, 3rd trimestersNo other comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertension
4% had anemia, 4% DM, and smoking condition
Cu (μg/dL):
PN:
106 ± 12 (1st)
107 ± 22 (2nd)
112 ± 14.5 (3rd)
PE:
102 ± 8 (1st)
88 ± 1 (2nd)
81 ± 1 (3rd)
Nutrients 17 01038 i001Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[53]Case–control study60 PN
60 PE
Not informedN/ANo comorbidities described in the studyCu (mg/L)
The study does not show the results, just a graphic
PN: 4.5
PE: 3.0
that corresponds to
Cu (ug/dL)
PN: 0.45
PE: 0.30
Nutrients 17 01038 i001Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[45]Prospective study37 PN
30 PH
30 PE
PN: 30.8
PH: 30.8
PE: 31.2
Gestational age at baseline, in days:
PN: 261.92
PH: 261.57
PE: 255.83
No comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertension and obesityCu (μmol/L)
PE: 33.91 ± 8.19
PH: 33.32 ± 5.59
PN: 32.04 ± 7.33
that corresponds to:
Cu (ug/dL)
PN: 203.60 ± 46.6
PH: 211.74 ± 35.5
PE: 215.48 ± 52.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i003Nutrients 17 01038 i003
[54]Case–control study58 PN
50 PE
PN:
25.76 ± 0.73
PE:
25.46 ± 0.85
3rd trimesterNo comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertensionCu (mg/L)
PN: 2.58 ± 0.06
PE 1.98 ± 0.10
that corresponds to
Cu (ug/dL)
PN: 258 ± 6
PE 198 ± 10
Nutrients 17 01038 i001Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[37]Case–control study40 PN
40 HRPE
40 PE
PN:
31.20 ± 5.84
HRPE:
34.26 ± 6.69
PE:
31.55 ± 6.14
During the admission after the 24th week of gestationHRPE Group:
BMI ≥ 35, hypertension or PE, gestational diabetes, intrauterine growth restriction or pre-partum.
Cu (mg/L):
PN: 2.014 ± 0.43
PE: 1.554 ± 0.53
HRPE: 1.786 + 0.51
that corresponds to
Cu (µg/dL)
PN: 201.4 ± 0.04
PE: 155.4 ± 0.05
HRPE: 178.6 ± 0.05
Nutrients 17 01038 i001Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[60]Multi-
center
case–control study
472 PN
244 PE
PN: 29
(23–32)
PE: 28
(23–32)
PN: 15th to 40th week
PE: 15th to 38th week
No comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertension and obesityCu (µg/L):
PN: 1850.0
(1663.5–2051.5)
PE: 1957.4
(1787.0–2177.5)
that corresponds to
Cu(μg/dL)
PN: 185.0
(166.35–205.15)
PE: 195.74
(178.7–217.75)
Nutrients 17 01038 i001Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[50]Prospective cohort study50 PN
50 PE:
(35 mild
15 severe)
PN:
27.10 ± 4.60
PE:
26.50 ± 3.90
PN
31.50 ± 3.60 weeks
PE:
30.80 ± 3.30 weeks
No comorbidities described in the studyCu (mg/L)
PN: 1.32 ± 0.34
PE:
Mild: 2.26 ± 0.48
Severe: 2.70 ± 0.85
that corresponds to
Cu (μg/dL)
PN: 132 ± 34
Mild: 226 ± 48
Severe: 270 ± 85
Nutrients 17 01038 i003Nutrients 17 01038 i003
[61]Prospective cohort study19 PN
24 PDM
23 PEDM
PN:32 ± 5
PDM: 30 ± 4.
PEDM: 29 ± 6
3 collections:
1st, 2nd, 3rd trimester
Type 1 diabetes mellitus and
obesity
Higher Cu levels only at the 3rd trimester in the DM PE group.
The authors do not show the levels of micronutrients in the graphics.
Nutrients 17 01038 i001Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[46]Prospective cohort study40 PN
38 PE
PN: 28.7 ± 3.82
PE: 29.2 ± 3.56
32–38 gestational weeksNo comorbidities described in the studyCu (μg/dL)
PN:
152.45 (187.32–104.56)
PE:
199.5 (281.86–114.4)
Nutrients 17 01038 i001Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[67]Multi-centric
case-control study
51 PN
61 PH
37 PE
PN: 25 ± 5
PH: 27 ± 6
PE: 27 ± 7
12th, 21st, and 31st gestational weeksNo comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertensionCu (µg/dL)
PN 192.0 ± 40.0
PH: 196.0 ± 35.0
PE: 199.0 ± 38.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i002Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[38]Case–control study60 PN
70 PE
PN:
29.4 ± 3.48
PE:
28.92 ± 4.71
28th to 36th weeks of gestationNo comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertension and obesityCu (μg/dL)
PN: 121.21 ± 25.08
PE: 210.95 ± 56.58
Nutrients 17 01038 i003Nutrients 17 01038 i003
[51]Case–control study48 PN
54 PE
PN:
29 ± 5.35
PE:
27 ± 7.02
after the 20th week of gestationNo comorbidities described in the studyCu (µmol/L):
PN: 8.14 ± 1.80
PE: 16.62 ± 3.17
that corresponds to
Cu (μg/dL):
PN: 51.47 ± 11.44
PE: 105.49 ± 20.33
Nutrients 17 01038 i001Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[62]Prospective cohort study222 PN
5 PE
32.0
(24.0–43.9)
N/ABMI was obtained from the self-reported weight and heightIn a pooled analysis, pregnancy and neonatal outcomes when trimesters were included in statistical analysis, the prevalence of PE was significantly lower, with high
Cu (p = 0.03)
median Cu (µg/dL) of all 245 pregnant women was
165.0 (144.0–187.0)
Cu measurement of PE was not included
Nutrients 17 01038 i001Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[47]Case–control study50 PN
50 PE
PN: 28.6 (6.6)
PE: 28.6 (6.4)
PN: 36.8 weeks
PE: 37.1 weeks
No comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertension and obesityCu (μg/dL):
PN: 103.6 (86.6–126.7)
PE: 111.6 (94.3–135.3)
Nutrients 17 01038 i004Nutrients 17 01038 i004
[39]Triple-blind randomized clinical trial
(interventional study)
107 PN not supplemented
124 PN supplemented (1000 mg Cu oral)
18 to 35After the 16th week up to deliveryNo comorbidities described in the studyNo measurement of Cu concentrations was reported
Overall incidence of PROM (7.6%), the risk of PROM was
PN: 6.7%
PN supplemented: 9.9%
Overall incidence of PROM (1.3%),
the risk of PROM was
PN: 0.7%
PN supplemented: 1.8%
Incidence of PE:
PN: 0%
PN supplemented: 1.6%—2 cases
Incidence of placenta abruption:
PN: 0%
PN supplemented: 0.7%—1 case
Nutrients 17 01038 i002Nutrients 17 01038 i002
[52]Case–control study100 PN
100 PE
PN:
28.36 ± 3.26
PE:
28.83 ± 5.94
2nd and 3rd trimesters
Gestational age:
PN:
35.57± 2.4
PE:
35.13 ± 3.24
No comorbidities described in the study, besides
hypertension and obesity
Cu (mg/L):
PN: 2.76 ± 1.02
PE: 2.01 ± 0.83
that corresponds to
Cu (μg/dL):
PN: 276 ± 102
PE: 201± 83
Nutrients 17 01038 i002Nutrients 17 01038 i002
[40]Case–control study58 PN
121 PH
71 mild PE
26 severe PE
24 HELLP
PN:
36.6 ± 6.6
Mild PE:
35.7 ± 7.28
Severe PE:
36.6 ± 7.72
HELLP:
35.6 ± 7.54
after the 20th week of gestationNo comorbidities described in the studyPE severity related to Cu and ceruloplasmin concentration.
Cu (μg/dL):
PN: 62.6 ± 25.63
Mild PE: 81.2 ± 11.4
Severe PE: 160. 2 ± 20.89
HELLP: 209. 9 ± 28.55
Ceruloplasmin (mg/dL)
Control: 28.3 ± 10.9
Mild PE: 33.0 ± 4.81
Severe PE: 65.3 ± 9.17
HELLP: 92.7 ± 16.21
Nutrients 17 01038 i002Nutrients 17 01038 i002
[27]Cross-sectional analytical study81 PN
81 PE
PN:
29.31 ± 5.22
PE:
29.53 ± 5.38
Not statedNo comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertension and obesityCu (mg/L)
PN: 1.670 ± 1.47
PE: 0.844 ± 0.57
that corresponds to
PN: 167 ± 147
PE: 84.4 ± 57.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i002Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[48]Case–control study60 PN
60 PE
PN:
26.85 ± 0.53
PE:
27.72 ± 0.66
The time of collection not stated, only
third trimester
No comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertension and overweightCu (µg/dL)
PN: 143.153 ± 3.316
PE: 209.657± 8.679
Nutrients 17 01038 i002Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[43]Cohort study44 PN
24 PE
PN: 27
PE: 26
Prior to or during the latent phase of labor.No comorbidities described in the study.Cu (µg/protein (g))
PE: 47.90 ± 19.75
PN: 31.60 ± 11.74
Data without protein reference
Nutrients 17 01038 i001Nutrients 17 01038 i001
[56]Case–control study45 PN
43 PE
PN: 27.2 ± 5.3
PE: 30.2 ± 6.8
28th to 40th weeks of pregnancyNo comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertensionCu (μg/dL)
PN: 195.2 ± 38
PE: 224.5 ± 26.6
Nutrients 17 01038 i004Nutrients 17 01038 i002
[55]Cross-sectional and comparative study40 PN
40 PE
PN:
25.46 ± 0.85
PE:
25.76 ± 0.73
PN:
36.8 ± 0.27 weeks
PE:
35.32 ± 0.37 weeks
No comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertensionCu (mg/dL)
PN 0.39 ± 0.02
PE: 0.15 ± 0.07
that corresponds to
PN: 390 ± 2.0
PE: 150 ± 7.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i002Nutrients 17 01038 i005
P: pregnant; PN: pregnant normotensive; PE: pregnant pre-eclampsia; PH: hypertensive pregnant; PROM: premature rupture of membranes; BMI: body mass index; Cu: copper. E: eclampsia; HRPE: high-risk pre-eclampsia; PDM: pregnant diabetes mellitus; PEDM: pregnant pre-eclampsia diabetes mellitus; HELLP: hemolysis enzymes liver low platelet syndrome.
Table 3. Analysis of quality/bias of Zn reports.
Table 3. Analysis of quality/bias of Zn reports.
ReferenceStudy
Type
Patients
(n)
Age
Group
Time of MeasurementComorbiditiesOutcomesQualityRisk of Bias
[43]Cohort study44 PN
24 PE
PN: 27.2 ± 2.7
PE: 26.7 ± 2.6
Prior to or during the latent phase of labor.No comorbidities were described in the study. Zn (µg/g protein)
PE: 15.53 ± 4.92
PN: 11.93 ± 3.11
Nutrients 17 01038 i006Nutrients 17 01038 i006
[44]Prospective cohort study 20 PN
17 PE
PN:
26.4 ± 2.7
PE:
24.9 ± 2.5
After the 35th week of gestation No comorbidities were reported, besides
hypertension.
sample: placenta tissue
Zn (μg/g tissue):
PN: 91.1 ± 36.8
PE: 60.3 ± 27.8
Nutrients 17 01038 i006Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[45]Prospective study 30 PN
30 PH
30 PE
PN: 30.8
PH: 30.8
PE: 31.2
Gestational age at baseline, in days:
PE: 255.83
PH: 261.57
PN: 261.92
No comorbidities were reported, besides
hypertension.
Zn (μmol/L)
PN: 8.85 ± 1.43
PH: 9.16 ± 1.27
PE: 9.23 ± 1.43
that corresponds to
Zn (μg/dL)
PN: 57.9 ± 9.4
PH: 59.9 ± 8.3
PE: 60.4 ± 9.4
Nutrients 17 01038 i006Nutrients 17 01038 i006
[32]Case–control study50 PN
20 PE
24 severe
PE
17–45 Two collections, 1st before the delivery, 2nd 30–45 days after partum No comorbidities were described in the study, besides hypertensionPN: 48.3 ± 8.3
Mild PE: 50.0 ± 9.4
Severe PE: 38.8 ± 8.2
Nutrients 17 01038 i007Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[46]Prospective cohort study 40 PN
38 PE
PN:
28.7 ± 3.82
PE:
29.2 ± 3.56
32–38 gestational weeksNo comorbidities were described in the study, besides hypertensionZn (μg/dL)
PN: 108.45 (138.55–88.12)
PE: 81.24 (110.65–62.4)
Nutrients 17 01038 i007Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[47]Case–control study50 PN
50 PE
PN: 28.6 (6.6)
PE: 28.6 (6.4)
PN: 36.8 weeks
PE: 37.1 weeks
No comorbidities were described in the study, besides hypertension and obesityZn (μg/dL)
PN: 108.0 (91.6–131.7)
PE: 102.0 (82.8–124.0)
Nutrients 17 01038 i008Nutrients 17 01038 i008
[48]Case–control study60 PN
60 PE
PN:
26.85 ± 0.53
PE:
27.72 ± 0.66
3rd trimesterNo comorbidities were described in the study, besides hypertension and overweightZn (µg/dL)
PN: 87.535 ± 3.710
PE: 57.283 ± 1.740
Nutrients 17 01038 i006Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[33]Cross-sectional study 16 PN
23 PE
PN:
28.0 ± 6.9
PE:
31.7 ± 5.8
PN: 38
(33–41)
PE: 34
(21–41)
No comorbidities were reported, besides
hypertension.
Zn (no unit reported)
PN: 43.3 (26–27)
Severe PE: 47 (28–97)
Nutrients 17 01038 i006Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[27]Cross-sectional analytical study 81 PN
81 PE
PN:
29.53 ± 5.38
PE:
29.31 ± 5.22
N/ANo comorbidities were reported, besides
hypertension and obesity
Zn (mg/L)
PN: 0.535 ± 0.8
PE: 0.408 ± 0.39
that corresponds to:
Zn (µg/dL)
PN: 53.5 ± 80.0
PE: 40.8 ± 39.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i007Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[49]Case–control study30 PN
21 PE
PN and PE:
19–31
31st to 38th weeks of gestation No comorbidities were reported, besides
hypertension
Zn (µg/dL)
PN: 125.19 ± 24.23
PE: 82.94 ± 28.93
Nutrients 17 01038 i007Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[50]Prospective cohort study 50 PE
50 PN
PN:
27.10 ± 4.60
PE:
26.50 ± 3.90
PN:
31.50 ± 3.60 weeks
PE: 30.80
± 3.30 weeks.
No comorbidities were reported, besides
hypertension.
Zn (mg/L):
PN: 0.73 ± 0.33
PE: 0.71 ± 0.26
that corresponds to
Zn (µg/dL)
PN: 73.0 ± 33.0
PE: 71.0 ± 26.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i006Nutrients 17 01038 i006
[51]Case–control study48 PN
54 PE
PN:
29 ± 5.35
PE:
27 ± 7.02
After 20 weeks of gestation No comorbidities described in the study.Zn (µmol/L):
PN: 8.27 ± 0.6
PE: 12.26 ± 1.83
that corresponds to
Zn (µg/dL)
PN: 54.1 ± 3.9
PE: 80.2 ± 12.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i007Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[52]Case–control study100 PN
100 PE
PN:
28.36 ± 3.26 PE:
28.83 ± 5.94
PN: 35.57 ± 2.4
PE:
35.13 ± 3.24.
No comorbidities described in the study, besides
hypertension and
obesity
Zn (mg/L):
PN: 0.87 ± 0.30
PE: 0.69 ± 0.21
that corresponds to
Zn (µg/dL)
PN: 87.0 ± 30.0
PE: 69.0 ± 21.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i006Nutrients 17 01038 i006
[53]Case–control study60 PN
60 PE
N/A After the 20th week of gestation No comorbidities described in the study. The results are shown only in a graph Nutrients 17 01038 i007Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[57]Cohort study30 PN
29 PE
PN: 32
PE: 32
During labor No comorbidities described in the study. Zn (mg/L)
PN: 1.9 ± 0.5
PE: 0.7 ± 0.2
that corresponds to
Zn (µg/dL)
PN: 190.0 ± 50.0
PE: 70.0 ± 20.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i007Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[54]Case–control study58 PN
50 PE
PN:
25.76 ± 0.73
PE:
25.46 ± 0.85
3rd trimester No comorbidities described in the study. Zn (mg/L):
PN: 0.98 ± 0.03
PE: 0.77± 0.05
that corresponds to
Zn (µg/dL)
PN: 98.0 ± 3.0
PE: 77.0 ± 5.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i007Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[62]Prospective cohort study 222 PN
5 PE
32.0
(24.0–43.9)
N/A BMI was calculated from self-reported weight and height The relationship between PE and Zn was not stated.Nutrients 17 01038 i007Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[63]Prospective case–control 80 PN
43 severe PE
PN:
30.28 ± 5.71
Severe PE: 27.23 ± 7.09.
PN: 38.15 ± 2.19 until delivery.
Severe PE: 37.72 ± 2.56 weeks until delivery.
No comorbidities described in the study. Maternal–venous
Zn (µg//L)
PN: 575.5 ± 215.2
Severe PE:
652.7± 668.6
that corresponds to
Zn (µg/dL)
PN: 57.55 ± 21.52
PE:65.27 ± 66.86
Nutrients 17 01038 i007Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[64]Cross-sectional prospective study 28 PN
32 PE
PN:
25.85 ± 3.36
PE:
27.00 ± 3.89
PN:
36.53± 3.15
PE:
35.68 ± 2.94
No comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertension. Zn (mg/L)
PN: 1.086 ± 0.199
PE: 0.792 ± 0.180
that corresponds to
Zn (µg/dL)
PN: 108.6 ± 19.9
PE: 79.2 ± 18.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i006Nutrients 17 01038 i006
[65]Case–control study60 PN
60 PE
PN: 26.66 ± 3.72
PE: 27.43 ± 3.91.
30th–40th weeks No comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertension and obesityZn (µg/dL)
PN 100.61 ± 20.12
PE: 76.49 ± 17.62
Nutrients 17 01038 i006Nutrients 17 01038 i006
[66]Case–control study48 PN
47 PE
PN:
27.92 ± 4.25
PE:
27.91 ± 5.21
29th–38th weeks. No comorbidities described in the study. Zn (µg/dL)
PE: 1.06 ± 0.44
PN: 1.27 ± 0.41
Nutrients 17 01038 i007Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[29]Case–control study18 PN
19 PE
14 E
PN: 25 ± 4
PE: 25 ± 4
E: 28 ± 4
During the partum No comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertensionZn (µg/dL)
PN: 83.03 ± 8.85
PE: 74.43 ± 14.99
E: 67.66 ± 11.71
Nutrients 17 01038 i006Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[55]Cross-sectional and comparative study 40 PN
40 PE
PN:
25.46 ± 0.85
PE:
25.76 ± 0.73
PN: 36.8 ± 0.27 weeks
PE: 35.32 ± 0.37 weeks;
No comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertensionZn (mg/dL)
PN: 5.11 ± 0.21
PE: 2.94 ± 0.45
that corresponds to
Zn (µg/dL)
PN 5.110 ± 210
PE: 2.940 ± 450
Nutrients 17 01038 i006Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[58]Case–control study23 PN
43 PE
PN: 24 ± 5
PE: 25 ± 5
PN: 37 ± 5
PE: 33 ± 5
No comorbidities described in the study, besides obesity.Zn (mg/L):
PN: 2.13 ± 3.01
PE: 18.03 ± 30.28
that corresponds to
Zn (µg/dL)
PN: 213.0 ± 301.0
PE: 1803.0 ± 3028.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i007Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[35]Case–control study70 PE
70 PN
N/A after the 20th week No comorbidities described in the study.Results (Zn mg) assessed by Food Frequency Questionnaire
PN:
5.5 (2.4–16.5)
PE:
4.8 (2.39–12.87)
Nutrients 17 01038 i007Nutrients 17 01038 i007
[56]Case–control study45 PN
43 PE
PN:
27.2 ± 5.3
PE:
30.2 ± 6.8
28th to 40th weeks of pregnancy No comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertensionZn (μg/dL)
PN: 80.3
PE: 75.1
Nutrients 17 01038 i008Nutrients 17 01038 i006
[34]Case–control study48 PN
48 PE
20–30 years old Third trimesterNo comorbidities described in the study.Zn (mg/dL)
PN: 47.83 ± 12.72
PE: 43.66 ± 11.98
that corresponds to
Zn (μg/dL)
PN: 47,830.0 ± 12,720.0
PE: 43,660.0 ± 11,980.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i007Nutrients 17 01038 i007
PN: Pregnant Normotensive; PE: Pregnant Pre-eclampsia; PH: Hypertensive Pregnant; E: Eclampsia; BMI: Body Mass Index; Zn: Zinc.
Table 4. Analysis of quality/bias of Se reports.
Table 4. Analysis of quality/bias of Se reports.
ReferenceStudy TypePatients (n)Age GroupTime of MeasurementComorbiditiesOutcomesQualityRisk of Bias
[28]Case–control study53 PN
53 PE
PN:
30 ± 5
PE:
31 ± 5
Toenail sample collected 3–12 months beforeNo comorbidities were reported, besides hypertension.Toenail sample:
Se (mg/Kg)
PN: 0.62 (0.57–0.69)
PE: 0.56 (0.51–0.64)
Nutrients 17 01038 i010Nutrients 17 01038 i010
[60]Cross-sectional cohort study27 PN
25 PE
PN: 29 ± 6
PE: 32 ± 5
PN:
37 ± 5
PE:
33 ± 5
No comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertension and obesitySe (μg/L)
PN: 58.4 ± 14.9
PE: 39.7 ± 13.8
that corresponds to
Se (μg/dL)
PN: 5.84 ± 1.49
PE: 3.97 ± 1.38
Nutrients 17 01038 i010Nutrients 17 01038 i010
[58]Case–control study 23 PN
43 PE
PN:
24 ± 5
PE:
25 ± 5
N/ANo comorbidities described in the study, besides obesity.Hair sample
Se (μg/g)
PN: 23.93 ± 2.62
PE: 24.42 ± 1.78
Se serum (mg/L)
PN: 0.14 ± 0.01
PE: 0.06 ± 0.01
that corresponds to
Se (μg/dL)
PN: 14.0 ± 1.0
PE: 6.0 ± 1.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i010Nutrients 17 01038 i010
[59]Case–control study40 PN
40 PE
PN:
26.42 ± 3.73
PE:
27.62 ± 5.25
34th to 39th weeksNo comorbidities described in the study.Se (μg/L)
PN: 58.51 ± 11.85
PE: 51.75 ± 11.62
that corresponds to
Se (μg/dL)
PN: 5.851 ± 1.185
PE: 5.175 ± 1.162
Nutrients 17 01038 i010Nutrients 17 01038 i010
[64]Cross-sectional prospective study28 PN
32 PE
PN:
25.85 ± 3.36
PE:
27.00 ± 3.89
PN:
36.53 ± 3.15
PE:
35.68 ± 2.94
No comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertension.Se (mg/L)
PN: 87.50 ± 10.96
PE: 60.68 ± 6.42
that corresponds to
Se (μg/dL)
PN: 8750.0 ± 1096.0
PE: 6068.0 ± 642.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i009Nutrients 17 01038 i009
[29]Case–control study18 PN
19 PE
14 E
PN: 25 ± 4PE: 28 ± 4
E: 28 ± 4
During the partumNo comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertensionSe (µg/dL)
PN: 22.17 ± 4.19
PE: 18.58 ± 5.21
E: 16.34 ± 5.23
Nutrients 17 01038 i009Nutrients 17 01038 i010
[63]Case–control study80 PH
43 HRPE
PN:
30.28 ± 5.7
PE:
27.23 ± 7
Before the partum No comorbidities described in the study.Se (µg/L) from the placenta after birth
PN: 110.7 ± 19.4
Severe PE: 98.26 ± 24.2
that corresponds to
PN: 11.07 ± 1.94
Severe PE: 9.826 ± 2.42
Nutrients 17 01038 i010Nutrients 17 01038 i010
[57]Case–control study30 PN
29 PE
PN:
31 ± 3.1
PE:
32.1 ± 4.6
PN:
39.1± 1.1
PE:
34.1 ± 3.0
No comorbidities described in the study. Se (mg/L)
PN: 0.09 ± 0.01
PE: 0.09 ± 0.01
that corresponds to
Se (µg/L)
PN:9.0 ±1.0
PE: 9.0 ± 1.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i010Nutrients 17 01038 i010
[65]Case–control study60 PN
60 PE
PN:
26.66 ± 3.72
PE:
7.43 ± 3.91
30th–40th weeks of gestationNo comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertension and obesity. Se (µg/dL)
PN: 10.47 ± 2.78
PE: 8.82 ± 2.10
Nutrients 17 01038 i009Nutrients 17 01038 i009
[25]Prospective case–control study38 PN
38 PE
PN:
28.2 ± 3.12
PE:
28.4 ± 3.13
From the 24th–28th weeks of gestation, and followed up 48 h after the partumNo comorbidities described in the study, besides overweight Se (µg/dL)
PN: 82.03 ± 15.54
PE: 70.63 ± 21.41
Nutrients 17 01038 i010Nutrients 17 01038 i010
[61]Prospective cohort study19 PN
24 PDM
23 PEDM
PN:
32 ± 5
PDM:
30 ± 4 PEDM:
29 ± 6
3 collections:
1st, 2nd, 3rd trimesters
Diabetes mellitus type 1 and obesity Data was shown only in graphics.
The serum levels of Se were not significantly different between the three analyzed groups.
Nutrients 17 01038 i010Nutrients 17 01038 i010
[42]Case–control study118 PN
74 PE
PN:
24 ± 0.51
PE:
27 ± 0.98
6 h apart from patients and 20 gestational weeksNo comorbidities described in the study. Se (µg/L) rural area:
PN: 32.18 ± 1.22 µg/L
PE: 23.07 ± 0.96 µg/L
that corresponds to
Se (µg/dL)
PN: 3.218 ± 0.122
PE: 2.307 ± 0.096
Se (µg/L) urban area:
PN: 24.67 ± 0.75
PE: 32.29 ± 2.09
that corresponds to
Se (µg/dL)
PN: 2.467 ± 0.075
PE: 3.229 ± 0.209
Nutrients 17 01038 i009Nutrients 17 01038 i009
[21]Case–control study32 PN
20 PH
38 PE
PN:
27.9 ± 6.4
PH ± PE:
28.7 ± 6.828
During patient admission. High level of comorbidities, including recurrent urinary tract infection, kidney stones, depression, and heart disease, besides hypertension and obesitySe (µg/dL)
PN: 56.4 ± 15.3
PH: 53.2 ± 15.2
PE: 53.3 ± 16.8
Nutrients 17 01038 i010Nutrients 17 01038 i009
[62]Prospective cohort study222 PN
5 PE
median age 32.0 years (24.0–43.9)N/ABMI was calculated from self-reported weight and height The relationship between PE and Se was not stated Nutrients 17 01038 i010Nutrients 17 01038 i010
[27]Cross-sectional analytical study81 PN
81 PE
PN:
29.53 ± 5.38
PE:
29.31± 5.22
N/ANo comorbidities were reported, besides
hypertension and obesity
Se (mg/L)
PN: 0.842 ± 0.71 mg/L
PE: 01.758 ± 3.35 mg/L
that corresponds to
Se (µg/dL)
PN: PN: 84.2 ± 71.0
PE: 175.8 ± 335.0
Nutrients 17 01038 i009Nutrients 17 01038 i009
[26]Comparative case–control study56 PN
56 PE
PN:
31.45 ± 4.9
PE:
31.03 ± 4.73
N/ANo comorbidities described in the study, besides obesitySe (µmol/L)
PN:1.20 ± 0.46 µmol/L
PE: 0.67 ± 0.27 µmol/L
that corresponds to
Se (µg/dL)
PN: 94.75 ± 36.38
PE: 52.91 ± 21.32
Nutrients 17 01038 i009Nutrients 17 01038 i009
[24]Cohort study363 PN
121 PH
12 PE
35.1 ± 41st trimester and 12 weeks post-partumNo comorbidities described in the study, besides hypertension, obesity, and smoking conditionSe (µg/L)
PN: 63.58 (48.35–90.14)
PH + PE: 57.69 (44.63–70.13)
that corresponds to
Se (µg/dL)
PN: 6.358 (4.835–9.014)
PH + PE: 5.769 (4.463–7.013)
Nutrients 17 01038 i010Nutrients 17 01038 i010
PN: Pregnant Normotensive; PE: Pregnant Pre-eclampsia; PH: Hypertensive Pregnant; BMI: Body Mass Index; PDM: Pregnant Diabetes Mellitus; PEDM: Pregnant Pre-eclampsia Diabetes Mellitus; HRPE: High Risk of Pre-eclampsia.
Table 5. Experimental measurements of Cu, Zn, and Se references during normal pregnancy.
Table 5. Experimental measurements of Cu, Zn, and Se references during normal pregnancy.
Non-Pregnant1st Trimester2nd Trimester3rd Trimester
Cu63–158 µg/dL112–199 µg/dL165–221 µg/dL130–240 µg/dL
Zn75–120 µg/dL57–88 µg/dL51–80 µg/dL50–70 µg/dL
Se63–160 µg/L116–146 µg/L75–145 µg/L71–133 µg/L
Data according to Abbassi-Ghanabati et al. [69].
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Goularte, P.d.S.; Imperador, C.H.L.; Piedade, F.H.; Guerin, A.N.; Martins, K.d.T.; Boreski, D.; Gabriel, E.A.; Gabriel, S.A.; Tiezzi, D.G.; Chin, C.M. Copper, Zinc, and Selenium Levels During Pregnancy and Their Relationship with Pre-Eclampsia Risk: A Systematic Review. Nutrients 2025, 17, 1038. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17061038

AMA Style

Goularte PdS, Imperador CHL, Piedade FH, Guerin AN, Martins KdT, Boreski D, Gabriel EA, Gabriel SA, Tiezzi DG, Chin CM. Copper, Zinc, and Selenium Levels During Pregnancy and Their Relationship with Pre-Eclampsia Risk: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2025; 17(6):1038. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17061038

Chicago/Turabian Style

Goularte, Pietra dos Santos, Carlos Henrique Lima Imperador, Felipe Hassan Piedade, Amanda Nascimento Guerin, Karina de Toledo Martins, Diogo Boreski, Edmo Atique Gabriel, Sthefano Atique Gabriel, Daniel Guimarães Tiezzi, and Chung Man Chin. 2025. "Copper, Zinc, and Selenium Levels During Pregnancy and Their Relationship with Pre-Eclampsia Risk: A Systematic Review" Nutrients 17, no. 6: 1038. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17061038

APA Style

Goularte, P. d. S., Imperador, C. H. L., Piedade, F. H., Guerin, A. N., Martins, K. d. T., Boreski, D., Gabriel, E. A., Gabriel, S. A., Tiezzi, D. G., & Chin, C. M. (2025). Copper, Zinc, and Selenium Levels During Pregnancy and Their Relationship with Pre-Eclampsia Risk: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 17(6), 1038. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17061038

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop