Serum Copper and Zinc Concentrations in Healthy Children Aged 3-14 Years in Greece

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are essential trace elements in people, being required for functional activity of several enzyme systems. In this study, we determined Cu and Zn concentrations in the serum of 105 healthy children randomly selected, aged 3-14 yr, residing in a region of Greece (Thrace), and we investigated their association with children's gender, age, height, weight, and nutritional habits. The mean levels of Zn and Cu were 15.01 +/- 2.95 micromol/L and 26.18 +/- 5.47 micromol/L, respectively, with no significant difference between boys and girls. Asignificant positive correlation was found between age and Zn levels, and a negative one was found between age and Cu levels. Both Zn and Cu levels tended to increase with height, whereas Zn levels significantly decreased with increasing body mass indent (BMI). The consumption of meat, milk, and eggs were independent determinants for higher Zn levels, and the consumption of legumes and fruits were independent determinants for higher Cu levels. Asignificant negative correlation was found between Zn and Cu levels. In conclusion, our study, the first one evaluating the serum status of Cu and Zn in healthy Greek children, identified significant correlations of Zn and Cu levels with their age, height, BMI, and nutritional habits.

Children’s Exposure to Metals: A Community-Initiated Study

“…This finding is consistent with that of a previous study in Greece in which a negative association between children's serum Cu concentrations and age was identified (Arvanitidou et al, 2007). Urinary Cu concentrations were higher amongst participants with higher soil Cu concentrations, and similarly hair Cu concentrations were higher amongst participants who consumed home grown produce,…”

The relationship between micronutrients and anthropometric measurements in malnourished children / Relaţia între micronutrienţi şi măsurătorile antropometrice la copiii malnutriţi

“…A study conducted in Greece supports our findings of no differences in Cu and Zn levels between genders, but instead they found positive and negative correlations with age for Zn and Cu respectively (24). Instead, in Nepal, Zn deficiency was associated with both sex and age (25).…”

Abstract

“…Trace element deficiencies have been observed (Arvanitidou et al 2007;Choi and Kim 2005;Rossipal 2001). However, it seems that there are insufficient data for drawing any conclusions (VicenteRodriguez et al 2007).…”