Clinical and laboratory assessment of zinc deficiency in Dutch children

Abstract

The clinical spectrum of acrodermatitis enteropathica (n = 226) is compared with symptoms reported in other Zn deficiencies: total parenteral nutrition without Zn (n = 21), protein energy malnutrition (n = 24), gastrointestinal disease (n = 79), geophagia (n = 227), and dietary low intake (n = 23). Common features of deficiency are diarrhea, recurrent infection, and growth retardation. Dermatitis is less common in other types of deficiency than in acrodermatitis enteropathica (9 vs 88% of cases). Anorexia and/or hypogeusia is reported more frequently in the other types of deficiency (30 vs 16%). The main symptoms in acrodermatitis enteropathica vary with age. These differences in the clinical picture of Zn deficiency are discussed in relation to the degree of the deficiency (acute, subacute, or chronic; severe, mild, or subclinical). The results of the conventional laboratory tests to diagnose Zn deficiency (Zn levels in serum, urine, or hair) are reviewed. In healthy Dutch infants and children, the mean values of these levels vary by a factor of 1.6-3.0. Also, the clinical interpretation of their results is prone to errors. Therefore, we advocate the erythrocytic 65Zn uptake test. Its mean varies by 1.3. However, its reference values for different age intervals need to be established. From the comparison of the results of three conventional tests of samples taken concurrently (serum, urine, and hair) in groups of Dutch children with symptoms common in Zn deficiency (diarrhea, recurrent infection, or growth retardation), it is estimated that +/- 1% of Dutch children with minor complaints suffer from either acute or subacute Zn deficiency. Other deficiencies occur occasionally. In order to detect the individual patient with deficiency, the erythrocytic 65Zn uptake test is promising and needs to be evaluated. Therefore, we review a set of reference laboratory tests with results that alter during sequential stages of overload and deficiency. Such a scheme is advocated as a guidance for future clinical research on deficiency, and solves the problem of differentiating those conditions that identify the individual patients who need treatment by supplementation.

Global and regional child mortality and burden of disease attributable to zinc deficiency

“…Measuring population prevalence of zinc deficiency Individual zinc status can be assessed by quantifying the total body zinc mass via zinc tracer studies (Van Wouwe, 1995). Because these studies are intense and costly, this is not practical on a large scale and is not used routinely in developing countries.…”

Anemia and Iron Deficiency Anemia Prevalence with Serum Zinc assessment among Emigrated Yazidis People in Khanki camp in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

“…Zinc distribution throughout the body as a component of nucleic acids and of different types of protein make it difficult to measure zinc status adequately using laboratory tests [18,19]. However, serum zinc level is the most reliable commonly used laboratory test for assessing zinc deficiency, although clinical presentations of zinc deficiency can occur even in the absence of abnormal laboratory test result [20,21].…”

Micronutrient Deficiency Syndrome: Zinc, Copper and Selenium

“…The spectrum of clinical manifestations varies from poor appetite and mild dermatitis to life threatening diseases including growth arrest, intractable diarrhea, recurrent infection, and delayed sexual maturation [14]. Patients with acrodermatitis enteropathica show abrupt cessation of weight gain and recovery after zinc supplementation [15].…”