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[Zincemia, cupremia and infection in malnourished children].

BACKGROUND
Serum copper and zinc levels are decreased in malnourished and infected children. The role of either malnutrition or infection remains undetermined.


POPULATION AND METHODS
Serum zinc and copper concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 31 malnourished infants aged 1 to 26 months and 28 eutrophic infants aged 3 to 22 months. Fourteen infants of the first group and 10 of the second were infected at the time of study.


RESULTS
Serum zinc and copper levels were significantly decreased in infants with malnutrition (zinc: 66 +/- 32 micrograms/dl and copper: 81 +/- 51 micrograms/dl versus 108 +/- 26 and 185 +/- 21, respectively, in eutrophic infants) (p < 0.001). These levels were still lower in those malnourished infants who were infected (zinc: 49.5 +/- 18 micrograms/dl and copper: 63.5 +/- 37 micrograms/dl versus 81.56 +/- 35 and 94 +/- 56 in non infected patients) (p < 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Infection increases the risk of low serum zinc and copper concentrations seen in malnourished children. This factor must be taken in account when treating malnutrition.