[Zinc plasma levels in a low socioeconomic status population of children in Maracaibo, Venezuela].
The objective of the present work was to determine plasma zinc concentration in a children's population belonging to low income families in Maracaibo, Venezuela. One hundred fifty-nine children (M:75;F:84) aged 3 months to 8 years were studied by clinic, anthropometric and socio-economical parameters. Fasting peripheral venipuncture blood samples were obtained and analyzed for plasma zinc using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Plasma zinc levels were low (< 75 micrograms/dl) in 38.36% of the children studied. In turn, 33.89% of the eutrophic group, and 41% of the malnourished group were zinc deficient. By analyzing separately the group of children in which plasma zinc levels ranged between 75-80 micrograms/dl (critical zone), it could be seen that 18.65% of eutrophic and 10% of malnourished children belonged to this group. Thus, over 50% of the total children's population studied had critical or deficient plasma zinc levels. Therefore, functional studies on nutritional status of zinc are recommended to the Venezuelan children population; in case of being evidently deficitary, it is necessary to establish immediate zinc supplementation nutritional programs; especially for children coming from low income families.
Amaya
D
D
Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia.
Urrieta
R
R
Gil
N M
NM
Molano
N C
NC
Medrano
I
I
Castejón
H V
HV
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014687:Venezuela; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
D014131:Trace Elements; D015032:Zinc