title: [Trace elements in serum of malnourished and well-nourished children living in Lubumbashi and Kawama].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The role of trace metals elements in human nutrition can no longer be ignored. Deficiency caused by inadequate dietary intake, secondary deficiencies often under - estimated, and iatrogenic deficiencies lead to pathologies such as infections and others. For this reason their dosages are particularly important to assess disease severity and to facilitate early treatment or improve patient's diet. The aim of this study was to determine trace elements profile in blood (copper, selenium, zinc, iron, chromium, cobalt, etc.) among malnourished and well-nourished children in a mining community in Lubumbashi.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred eleven cases have been collected, 182 malnourished children and 129 well-nourished children in a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted from July 2013 to December 2014. Exhaustive sampling was performed. Metal determination in serum was performed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP-OES/MS) in the laboratory at Congolese Control Office in Lubumbashi.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Essential trace elements (copper, zinc, selenium and iron) were found at very low concentrations in both the malnourished and well-nourished children. Arsenic, cadmium, magnesium and manganese concentrations were normal compared with reference values in well-nourished children Antimony, chromium, lead and cobalt levels were high in both the malnourished and well-nourished children. Nickel level was normal malnourished and well-nourished children. Magnesium, manganese were found in very low levels in malnourished children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both the malnourished and well-nourished children suffer from deficiencies of essential trace elements associated with trace metals elements This allows to assume that essential micronutrients deficiency promotes the absorption of heavy metals.
authors: Département de Pédiatrie, Faculté de Médecine Université de Lubumbashi, République Démocratique du Congo.
authors: Aimée Mudekereza
authors: AM
authors: Musimwa
authors: Département de Pédiatrie, Faculté de Médecine Université de Lubumbashi, République Démocratique du Congo.
authors: Gray Wakamb
authors: GW
authors: Kanteng
authors: Département de Pédiatrie, Faculté de Médecine Université de Lubumbashi, République Démocratique du Congo.
authors: Hermann Tamubango
authors: HT
authors: Kitoko
authors: Département de Pédiatrie, Faculté de Médecine Université de Lubumbashi, République Démocratique du Congo.
authors: Oscar Numbi
authors: ON
authors: Luboya
mesh_terms: D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009752:Nutritional Status; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements
keywords: Lubumbashi; Malnutrition; child; trace elements; trace metals elements