Hair zinc level analysis and the correlative micronutrients in children presenting with malnutrition and poor growth

Abstract

Background and Aim: Zinc deficiency can induce serious clinical problems in gastrointestinal (GI) system, immunity, growth and development, which are more severe in younger patients. Chronic zinc deficiency is reflected more precisely in hair zinc level than in serum. We studied hair zinc levels and other micronutrients (hair and serum) in chronic malnourished children to know which micronutrient affects or correlates the other ones.Methods: Hair mineral analyses (Trace Element Inc.) were performed in 56 children presenting with malnutrition, poor growth, poor appetite, anorexia, and/or GI symptoms, aged 1 to 15 years from August 2012 to March 2015. Biochemical studies of macronutrients and major micronutrients were also examined.Results and discussion: Hair zinc deficiency was diagnosed in 88% and serum deficiency in 55%. The zinc level between serum and tissue did not show statistical correlation. Hair zinc levels were highly correlated with serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (r = −0.479), which also showed correlation with hair levels of magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus. (r = −.461, −.416, and −.555, respectively). Hair calcium level was correlated with serum pre-albumin and hair phosphorus with serum calcium (r = .423 and −.320). Clinical problems were solved in most children after zinc supplementation. Correlation between hair zinc level and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D is contrary to the previous study result that vitamin D is antagonistic to zinc.Conclusions: Hair zinc and mineral analyses are useful toward therapeutic guide in the clinical investigation of children with malnutrition and poor growth