Pediatric reference intervals for serum copper and zinc

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Trace Element Metabolism
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• Copper and zinc are vital trace elements and nutrients essential for numerous physiological processes and metabolic pathways.
• Establishing accurate reference intervals is critical for diagnosing and managing conditions related to these elements in children.
• Previous research highlighted the need for age- and gender-specific data in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine age- and gender-specific reference intervals for serum copper and zinc concentrations.
• To provide a robust dataset for a large, healthy pediatric cohort in the United States.
• To establish reliable benchmarks for clinical interpretation of copper and zinc levels in children.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from 2115 healthy children (0.5-18 years) were analyzed.
• Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was used to measure copper and zinc concentrations.
• Statistical analyses were performed using STATA and R software to establish reference intervals.

Main Results:

• No significant gender or fasting status effects were observed for either element.
• Serum zinc reference interval was determined as 64-124 μg/dl.
• Age-dependent reference intervals were established for serum copper, varying by age group (<10.3y, 10.3-12.5y, >12.5y).

Conclusions:

• Defined reference intervals for serum copper and zinc in a healthy American pediatric population.
• The established intervals serve as a valuable resource for healthcare providers.
• This study contributes to improved diagnostic accuracy for trace element status in children.