MATERNAL AND NEWBORN PROTEIN STATUS AT DELIVERY IN A PUBLIC AND A PRIVATE MATERNITY HOSPITAL IN TEHRAN

Protein status of 194 pregnant women and their newborn at a public and a private maternity hospital in Tehran was studied. Blood samples were taken from all women before delivery and from cords at delivery of the placenta. The following determinations were made: total serum protein, protein fractions, creatinine and urea. In the private group, significantly higher maternal mean values were found for serum urea (P<0.01), albumin (P<0.05) and B -globulin (P<0.01) when compared to the public group. In cord blood, the mean serum creatinine (P<0.01) and urea (P<0.02) were significantly higher and B -globulin (P<O.05) was lower in the private group when compared to the public group. It can be concluded that socio-economic status clearly affects maternal nutrition, thereby affecting to some extent the nutritional status of the fetus.