Plasma zinc and hair zinc levels, anthropometric status and food intake of children in a rural area of Brazil

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the levels of plasma zinc, hair zinc, growth and food consumption in children aged 6 to 24 months in a rural area of Diamantina (MG), Brazil. METHODS: Plasma and hair zinc concentrations were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry and neutron activation analysis, respectively. Weight-for-age, weight-for-height and height-for-age, expressed as Z-scores, were measured according to the World Health Organization reference curves. Dietary zinc intake was determined by a 3-day dietary recall filled out by the mother or guardian. RESULTS: Zinc deficiency was found in 11.2% and 16.8% of the children according to plasma zinc e hair zinc levels, respectively. Mean plasma zinc and hair zinc for children <11 (49) and >11 (127) months of age were 15.4 (SD=4.2) µmol L-1 and 139.5 (SD=72.1) µg g-1 and 16.0 (SD=4.5) µmol L-1 and 134.3 (SD=110.3) µg g-1, respectively. Anthropometric measurements showed that 8.0%, 6.8% and 3.4% of the children were underweight, stunted and wasted, respectively. The mean dietary intake of zinc was 3.2 (SD=2.3) mg/day. One-third of the children did not eat enough foods that contain zinc. There were no correlations among plasma zinc level, hair zinc level, anthropometric parameters and zinc intake. CONCLUION: The results demonstrate that zinc deficiency is a problem in the studied population, not just in malnourished children. Nutritional care should be provided for this population in order to improve their consumption of high-zinc foods and monitor zinc deficiency.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Beinner,Mark Anthony, Menezes,Maria Ângela de Barros Correia, Silva,Jose Bento Borba da, Amorim,Flavia Regina de, Jansen,Ann Kristine, Lamounier,Joel Alves
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas 2010
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1415-52732010000100009
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