Serum copper and zinc concentrations and their relation to superoxide dismutase in severe malnutrition

Serum Zn and Cu levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 117 children (aged 3 months to 5 years), divided into two groups; 80 children suffered from severe malnutrition and 37 children served as controls. Significantly lower levels of serum Zn and Cu were found in the malnutrition group. Zn levels of 2.59 +/- 0.15 microg/ml as compared to 3.92 +/- 0.35 microg/ml in the control group (P = 0.0037) and Cu levels of 0.74 +/- 0.05 microg/ml in the malnutrition group as compared to 1.19 +/- 0.08 microg/ml in the control group were observed. Superoxide dismutase activity in children with severe malnutrition was 21.13 micro 0.75 U/min per mg protein as compared to 26.02 +/- 0.66 U/min per mg protein in controls. Absence of breast-feeding, recurrent respiratory tract infection and diarrhoea correlated significantly with low serum Zn and Cu levels. Hypoproteinaemia and anaemia in malnourished children were also associated with a significant decline in both serum Zn and Cu levels.

Serum trace element deficiency leading to depleted antioxidant protection may be a contributing factor to the pathophysiology of protein malnutrition and replacement of these elements in the management of this condition might be important.