title: Trace element status of children with PKU and normal children.
abstract: The trace mineral (chromium, copper, iron, selenium, and zinc) status of 10 children (4 to 13.8 years) with phenylketonuria (PKU) and 9 normal children (6.5 to 15.9 years) was assessed. The children with PKU were treated with a phenylalanine-free L-amino acid mix that supplied the following percentages (mean +/- standard deviation) of total daily intake: energy, 45 +/- 13; protein, 75 +/- 11; copper (Cu), 62 +/- 10; iron (Fe), 82 +/- 7; selenium (Se), 40 +/- 20; and zinc (Zn) 87 +/- 8. Diet records and blood samples were collected from each subject. Children with PKU had significantly greater mean intakes of Cu, Fe, and Zn than normal children. Mean serum Cu, Fe, and Zn concentrations of the children with PKU and normal children were not different despite significantly greater intakes by the children with PKU. Normal children had a significantly greater mean serum Se concentration and a mean blood chromium concentration 1.6 times that of children with PKU. Individuals whose primary source of protein is an elemental diet are especially at risk for multiple trace mineral deficiencies. Manufacturers of chemically defined medical foods should evaluate composition, specifically molar ratios between minerals, as a basis for product formulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Gropper
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Acosta
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Clarke-Sheehan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wenz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002857:Chromium / Q000378:metabolism; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D010661:Phenylketonurias / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D012643:Selenium / Q000378:metabolism; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D002857:Chromium; D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron; D012643:Selenium; D015032:Zinc