Urinary zinc, copper, nitrogen, and potassium losses in response to trauma

The urinary losses of zinc, copper, nitrogen and potassium were measured for 14 trauma patients for periods ranging from nine to 30 days and for nine normal subjects over four days each. The mean losses per day as well as peak losses by patients were compared to the mean normal losses. The mean peak losses of all elements were 2 to 10 times greater than normal. The ratios of the urinary concentrations of these catabolites in relation to each other were calculated. Since nutritional support was predominantly by routine intravenous solutions, the large amounts of urinary zinc, copper, nitrogen and potassium excreted represent a severe drain on the body's reserves of these elements.