Nutritional assessment and serum zinc and copper concentration in leukemic children.
BACKGROUND
Malnutrition in childhood cancer is commonly a serious problem. Changes in blood zinc and copper have also been found in malignant diseases.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the protein-energy nutritional status and serum zinc and copper of children with newly diagnosed leukemia.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
University referral center.


METHODS
23 children with newly diagnosed acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) or acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) between the ages of 1 and 10 years. The control subjects were 31 healthy school children of similar age from local schools.


METHODS
Anthropometric measurements of height/age and weight/height, food intake and serum levels of zinc and copper.


RESULTS
Almost the entire group of children were eutrophic. Zinc and copper intake were below the recommended values. Serum zinc levels were significantly lower and serum copper levels were significantly higher in the leukemic group when compared to normal children.


CONCLUSIONS
At the time of diagnosis the children suffering from leukemia were not overtly malnourished but blood analysis showed alterations in concentrations of the trace elements zinc and copper.
Pediatric Section, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
U R
UR
Sgarbieri
M
M
Fisberg
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LG
Tone
D017677:Age Distribution; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc