Abstract
Many authors have demonstrated low levels of trace elements in preschool children's low sociecncmic levels. To evaluate this we measured plasma Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) in 141 children (3-6 years) from Rio Claro (SP), Graffar IV-V standards. Children were classified by nutritional status (Gomez related to Brazilian standards). We studied 50 eutrophic children, 54 malnourished of first grade (DPC I), 24 of second grade (DPC II) and 13 of third grade (DPC III). Samples were collected in ideal conditions and determined by atomic absorption spectrophometry (Perkin Ekmer 460). Zinc values (X/ug/dl + SD) were: 118 ± 33 ug/dl (eutrophic), 114 ± 41 (DPC I), 112 ± 47 (DPC II) and 94 ± 19 (DPC III). Ihe copper values were: 180 ± 33 ug/dl (eutrophic), 179 ± 37 (DPC I), 177 ± 25 (DPC II) and 181 ± 31 (DPC III). Tftere were no significant differences in either Zn or Cu values between the groups studied. We observed one child with hypocupremia (Cu<90ug/dl) and 8 with hypozincemia (Zn<70 ug/dl). We conclude that the normal values for Zn and Cu levels demonstrated in the population studied suggest an adequate nutritional status in our four nutritional groups.
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Pisberg, M., Lippelt, R., Amancio, O. et al. PLASMA ZINC AND COPPER AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PRE SCHOOL 3 CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 22, 368 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198709000-00028
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198709000-00028