title: Serum zinc concentrations in growing premature infants.
abstract: Serial serum zinc concentrations were measured in 31 relatively well, growing premature infants during the first 26 weeks of life. Zinc concentrations declined progressively from 17.9 mumol (1.17 mg/l) at birth (normal adult value) to 8.9 mumol (0.58 mg/l) at 6 weeks of age despite a zinc intake of greater than 13.7 mumol (900 micrograms)/kg/day after the second week of life. The serum zinc increased after 16 weeks of age to 10.7 mumol/dl (0.7 mg/l). No infant demonstrated clinical signs of zinc deficiency. This data may serve as a reference against which serum zinc concentrations in other premature infants may be compared in order to help define the deficiency state.
mesh_terms: D001835:Body Weight; D002149:Energy Intake; D006801:Humans; D007225:Infant Food; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc