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The serum concentrations of zinc, copper and selenium in children with inflammatory bowel disease
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, PMB 1459, Ilorin, Nigeria. ojuawo@ilorin.skannet.com
Insights
Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have abnormal serum levels of selenium, copper, and zinc. These trace element imbalances are more pronounced in Crohn's disease and may contribute to the inflammatory process.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
- Immunology
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Trace elements play crucial roles in immune function and cellular processes.
- Understanding trace element status in pediatric IBD is essential for managing disease progression and complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and quantify serum levels of key trace elements (zinc, copper, selenium) in children diagnosed with IBD.
- To compare trace element concentrations between children with IBD (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) and healthy controls.
- To identify potential correlations between trace element abnormalities and IBD subtypes.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted involving 74 children with endoscopically and histologically confirmed IBD (38 ulcerative colitis, 36 Crohn's disease) and 40 age-matched controls.
- Serum samples were collected at presentation for assaying zinc, copper, and selenium levels.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare trace element concentrations between IBD subgroups and controls.
Main Results:
- Children with IBD exhibited significantly lower serum selenium levels compared to controls (p < 0.01).
- Serum copper levels were significantly higher in children with Crohn's disease than in those with ulcerative colitis and controls (p < 0.01).
- Serum zinc levels were significantly lower in children with Crohn's disease compared to controls (p < 0.05), with no significant difference observed in ulcerative colitis patients.
Conclusions:
- Children with IBD demonstrate significant abnormalities in serum zinc, copper, and selenium levels, particularly in Crohn's disease.
- These deficiencies may result from inadequate intake, reduced absorption, or increased intestinal loss due to inflammation.
- The findings support the potential benefit of trace element supplementation in managing pediatric IBD, addressing both nutritional deficits and inflammatory pathways.
Objective:
To estimate the levels of trace elements in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Design:
Prospective cross sectional study.
Setting:
Gastroentrology Unit, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, UK.
Subjects:
Seventy four children with inflammatory bowel disease confirmed endoscopically and histologically (38 ulcerative colitis and 36 Crohn's disease) and 40 age matched controls had their serum zinc, copper and selenium assayed at presentation.
Main Outcome Measure:
Serum levels of zinc, copper and selenium in children with inflammatory bowel disease and age matched controls.
Results:
Seventy four children with inflammatory bowel disease confirmed endoscopically and histologically (38 ulcerative colitis and 36 Crohn's disease) and 40 age matched controls had their serum zinc, copper and selenium assayed at presentation. The serum levels of selenium were significantly lower in cases of ulcerative colitis 0.63 +/- 0.25 mmol/L and Crohn's disease 0.69 +/- 0.25 mmol/L than in the controls 0.84 +/- 0.13 mmol/L (p < 0.01). The serum copper concentration was significantly higher in those with Crohn's disease 22.7 +/- 5.49 mmol/L than in those with ulcerative colitis 17.6 +/- 5.15 mmol/L and the controls 20.76 +/- 4.06 mmol/L (p < 0.01). Children with Crohn's disease had a lower serum zinc level 11.01 +/- 2.49 mmol/L compared to the control level of 13.6 +/- 1.63 mmol/L (p < 0.05), but the levels were not significantly different in the controls and ulcerative colitis (p > 0.10). Children with inflammatory bowel disease have abnormal levels of the trace elements which is more marked in those with Crohn's disease.
Conclusion:
Children with IBD in this study show abnormalities of the trace elements which is probably a result of inadequate intake, reduced absorption, increased intestinal loss due to impairment of the absorption as a result of the inflammatory process. The reduced free radical scavenging action of zinc and selenium as a result of their deficiency may contribute to the continued inflammatory process of IBD. The recommendation of the supplementation of these trace elements in IBD is further supported by the findings of this study in children.
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