Research Article
Dewa Ayu Liona Dewi, Bambang W
Abstract
Zinc deficiency in pregnant women has been associated with various conditions in babies born, one of whom was an infant with low birth weight. Effect of zinc supplementation in pregnant women may increase serum zinc levels and highdoses vitamin A supplementation may increase serum retinol levels. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of zinc supplementation in the malnutrition pregnant women in third trimester to zinc and retinol serum levels when the mother had postpartum. The population in this study was all pregnant women in third trimester on study sites. Respondents were malnutrition pregnant women in third trimester with upper arm circumference less than 23,5cm (n=32). Data collected through questionnaire, blood sampling and laboratory tests. Samples were taken from the population with inclusion criteria. They were then placed into groups using random allocation. At the end of the study, there was a significant difference in serum zinc levels (p<0,000) and no significant difference in serum retinol levels (p<0,624) in the trial group. Serum zinc levels increase after supplementation, but serum retinol levels decrease. These results suggest that zinc supplementation can increase serum zinc levels but needed adequate protein intake to increase serum retinol levels.