Serum zinc in healthy Belgian children

Many reports mention marginal zinc status in childhood. Information on serum zinc (Zn) in Belgian children since the last reports are old and feeding habits are changing. Four hundred fifty-seven healthy children (0-14 yr, 262 boys) had a venipuncture after an overnight fast during a vaccination cam...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biological trace element research 2003-07, Vol.94 (1), p.33-40
Main Authors: Van Biervliet, Stéphanie, Van Biervliet, Jean-Pierre, Bernard, Dirk, Vercaemst, Raf, Blaton, Vic
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Age Factors
Belgium
Child
Child, Preschool
Children
Children & youth
Cholesterol
Cholesterol - analysis
Humans
Infant
Infant Food
Infant, Newborn
Infants
Lipid Peroxidation
Low density lipoprotein
Male
Peroxidation
Sex Factors
Trace elements
Vitamin A - analysis
Zinc
Zinc - blood
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Summary:Many reports mention marginal zinc status in childhood. Information on serum zinc (Zn) in Belgian children since the last reports are old and feeding habits are changing. Four hundred fifty-seven healthy children (0-14 yr, 262 boys) had a venipuncture after an overnight fast during a vaccination campaign. Serum Zn, alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T), cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein B (Apo B), Apo A, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determinated. The median Zn value is lower in infants than in older children (respectively 11.6 micromol/L vs 12.8 micromol/L). The type of infant feeding does not influence the serum Zn concentrations (breast-feeding, adapted, hypoallergenic, soy, or thickened). No children had increased serum MDA concentrations and the value is not influenced by the Zn concentration. Children presenting higher serum Zn values also have significantly higher serum alpha-T levels. In infants, there is a significant positive correlation between serum Zn and cholesterol, LDL-C, and Apo B. In this apparently healthy population, no signs of abnormal in vivo peroxidation of fatty acids are observed, even in the children with low serum Zn. More sensitive methods for the detection of peroxidation are necessary for determination of in vivo effects of marginal trace element status.
ISSN:0163-4984
0163-4984
1559-0720
DOI:10.1385/BTER:94:1:33