Parameters of evaluation of zinc nutritional status: comparison between zinc hair rates and serum alkaline phosphatase in pre-scholars of the Municipality of João Pessoa, Paraíba

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the nutritional status of zinc in children from two to five years old, institutio-nalised in daycare centers in the Municipality of João Pessoa, Paraíba. METHODS: a systematic random sample comprised of 377 children. The nutritional status of zinc was evaluated according to the following parameters: mineral concentrations in the hair and enzymatic activity levels of serum alkaline phosphatase. RESULTS: inadequate zinc concentrations prevalence in the hair was of 61,9% with predominance in the form of severe deficiency, 38,5%. Prevalence of inadequate concentrations of levels of serum alkaline phosphatase activity was 40,1%. Zinc concentrations in the hair did not correlatated with serum alkaline phosphatase (r = 0,01; p = 0,882). According to sex and age zinc distribution in the hair was homogenous. The alkaline phosphaase had identical behavior. CONCLUSIONS: zinc deficiency is extremely high in the municipality of João Pessoa.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Silva-Santana,Sandra Cristina da, Diniz,Alcides da Silva, Lóla,Margarida Maria de Feitas, Oliveira,Rejane Santana de, Silva,Solange Maria Miranda, Oliveira,Severino Francisco de, Kolsteren,Patrick
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira 2002
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1519-38292002000300008
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