Pakistan Journal of Nutrition
1680-5194
1994-7984
Asian Network for Scientific Information
10.3923/pjn.2007.349.354
Ugwuja
E.I.
O. Nwosu
K.
C. Ugwu
N.
Okonji
M.
4
2007
6
4
Serum zinc and copper were determined in thirty (30)
malnourished pre-school-age children (age, 0-60 months) and thirty (30)
age-and sex-matched apparently healthy well nourished controls to evaluate
the effect of protein-energy malnutrition on serum zinc and copper. Mean
serum zinc and copper were significantly reduced (p<0.05) in
malnourished than in well-nourished children. While serum total protein
was significantly lower (p<0.05) in malnourished than the controls, and
comparable (p>0.05) among kwashiorkor and marasmus, serum albumin was
significantly lower (p<0.05) in kwashiorkor than in marasmus. Mean
haemoglobin concentration was significantly (p<0.05) lower in
malnourished than in the controls while total white blood cell count
(TWBC) did not differ significantly (P>0.05). This study shows that
malnourished children have deficient serum zinc and copper with anaemia
and leucopenia. For effective management of protein-energy malnutrition,
zinc and copper supplementation should be part of treatment regimen,
however, in order to prevent zinc and copper deficiency and its health
implications in pre-school age children, food fortification should be
promoted.]]>