title: Plasma zinc and copper in Paris area preschool children with growth impairment.
abstract: Plasma zinc, copper, and parameters of growth were measured in a group of 116 French preschool children, 2-5 yr-old from low-income households. Participants were selected on the basis of Z-scores of weight for height (WHZ) and height for age (HAZ). Zinc and copper concentrations of children with growth impairment (GI), defined by a WHZ and/or HAZ < -1 Z-score, were compared to those of age, sex, and ethnic origin matched controls (WHZ and HAZ > -1 Z-score). Mean (+/- SD) plasma zinc concentration was 12.58 +/- 1.84 mumol/L in the GI group, and 13.27 +/- 1.98 mumol/L in the controls. The difference of the means of paired samples was 0.69 +/- 2.34, and by paired t-test the significance reached p = 0.028. This effect was primarily a result of the weight retarded group (WHZ < -1 Z-score, p < 0.009) and to the girls (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in plasma copper concentrations between groups. These results suggest the presence of marginal zinc deficiency in French preschool children with low weight for height Z-scores.
authors.affiliation: U.1 INSERM, Hôpital Bichat, Paris.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chakar
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mokni
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Walravens
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chappuis
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bleiberg-Daniel
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mahu
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lemonnier
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010297:Paris; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D012737:Sex Factors; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin; D003300:Copper; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D015032:Zinc