Objective: The aim of this study was to identify any association between serum levels of trace elements zinc and copper and development of hydatidiform mole.
Study design: Blood samples of 35 patients with complete hydatidiform mole and 34 pregnant women controls were evaluated for serum levels of zinc and copper. Student's t-test was used for comparison of mean values of serum zinc and copper and for demographic variables. p< or =0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Levels of zinc in serum were found to be significantly higher in hydatidiform mole patients than controls (86.3 vs. 68.7 microg/l, p=0.027). Serum copper levels were significantly lower in hydatidiform mole patients than controls (123.8 vs. 147.8 microg/l, p=0.039; Table 2).
Conclusion: This is the first study in the English scientific literature reporting higher serum levels of zinc and lower serum levels of copper associated with complete hydatidiform mole.