الفهرس 
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Abstract
Trace elements that have a recognized role in human nutrition are: iodine, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, manganese, molybenum, chromium, cobalt (as a component of vitamin B12) and fluoride (Hertz, 1980). Atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique and the microwave induced emission spectroscopy have lead to more understanding of the role of these elements in metabolism.
Zinc is a component of many enzymes. It plays multiple roles in nucleic acid metabolism and protein synthesis and is important for membrane structure and function. Its deficiency leads to well recognized clinical and biochemical changes (Arlette, 1983).
Copper is a vital component of several oxidative enzymes. It is essential for hemopoiesis (Lee et al., 1968), melanine formation (Hanson, 1979) and brain myelination (Bender, 1982).
Manganese is essential for mucopolysaccharjdes synthesis and its deficiency in young animals cause variable skeletal abnormalities and impaired activity of epiphyseal cartilage plates (Leach and Muenster, 1969).
Chromium has a role in glucose, lipids and protein metabolism. It is a cofactor for insulin role in glucose metabolism(Mertz, 1970). Also it has a role in maintaining
normal serum lipids and its deficiency is associated with atherosclerosis.
The aim of this work is to study the level of cord serum zinc, copper, manganese and chromium at birth in normal full term, preterm and small for date infants and to study the relationship between the maternal serum levels of these trace elements at delivary and the corresponding levels in cord sera of the above three groups of newborn infants.