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Plasma zinc and growth status in preadolescent children with cystic fibrosis

Asim Maqbool1, Joan I Schall, Babette S Zemel

  • 1Divisions of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. maqbool@email.chop.edu

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|July 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Plasma zinc levels and intake were adequate in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and pancreatic insufficiency (PI). Zinc was not a limiting factor for their suboptimal growth or mild-to-moderate lung disease.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Micronutrient Status
  • Cystic Fibrosis Research

Background:

  • Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and pancreatic insufficiency (PI) may have altered micronutrient status due to malabsorption.
  • Zinc is essential for growth and immune function, and its status in CF patients requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess plasma zinc status in relation to dietary intake, growth, and pulmonary function in preadolescent children with CF and PI.
  • To determine if zinc deficiency contributes to suboptimal growth in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed fasting plasma zinc, dietary and supplemental zinc intake over 7 days in children aged 8-11 years with CF and PI.
  • Measured serum alkaline phosphatase, albumin, pulmonary function (spirometry), coefficient of fat absorption, and growth parameters (AHAZ, WAZ, BMIZ).

Main Results:

  • Mean plasma zinc was adequate, with 65% above the reference range; no subjects had low zinc levels.
  • Total daily zinc intake was significantly higher than recommended dietary allowances (279%).
  • Plasma zinc showed a positive correlation with serum albumin and an inverse correlation with fat malabsorption, but not with growth or pulmonary status.

Conclusions:

  • Current care in CF centers ensures adequate zinc intake and plasma zinc status in preadolescent children with CF and PI.
  • Zinc is unlikely to be a limiting micronutrient for the suboptimal growth observed in these children with mild-to-moderate lung disease.
Abstract

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