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Zinc and copper status in children with Beta-thalassemia major
Abolfazl Mahyar1, Parviz Ayazi, Ali-Asghar Pahlevan
1Department of Pediatrics, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, IR Iran.
Insights
Hypozincemia is common in children with beta-thalassemia major, with 65% showing low serum zinc levels. However, copper deficiency was not observed in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Genetic Blood Disorders
Background:
- Beta-thalassemia major is a genetic blood disorder requiring chronic transfusions.
- Previous reports suggest a link between zinc deficiency and outcomes in thalassemic patients.
- Serum copper levels may also be altered in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine serum zinc and copper levels in children with beta-thalassemia major.
- To investigate the prevalence of hypozincemia and copper deficiency in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 children under 12 with beta-thalassemia major.
- Serum zinc and copper concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
- Data collected included patient demographics, transfusion history, and iron chelation therapy details.
Main Results:
- The mean serum zinc level was 67.35±20.38 µg/dl, with 65% of patients exhibiting hypozincemia (zinc < 70 µg/dl).
- The mean serum copper level was 152.42±24.17 µg/dl.
- No significant correlation was found between serum zinc levels and age, weight, BMI, transfusion duration, desferrioxamine dose, or ferritin levels (P=0.3).
Conclusions:
- Hypozincemia is a common finding in children with beta-thalassemia major.
- Copper deficiency is not prevalent in this patient group.
- Further research is recommended to understand the implications of hypozincemia in beta-thalassemia major.
Objective:
There are some reports in which a condition of zinc deficiency and its associated outcomes with a change in concentration of serum copper among the thalassemic patients has been highlighted. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the serum zinc and copper levels in children with beta-thalassemia major.
Methods:
In this cross sectional study all children under 12 years affected by beta thalassemia major (40 patients) were evaluated for serum zinc and copper levels in Qazvin thalassemia center (Qazvin, Iran) in 2007. Serum measurements for zinc and copper were performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
Findings:
The mean concentrations of serum zinc and copper levels were 67.35±20.38 and 152.42±24.17 µg/dl respectively. Twenty-six (65%) of thalassemic patients had zinc concentration under 70 µg/dl (hypozincemia). None of the thalassemic children had copper deficiency. No significant correlation between serum zinc level with age, weight, height, body mass index, duration of blood transfusion, desferrioxamine dose and ferritin level was observed in thalassemic patients (P=0.3).
Conclusion:
This study revealed that hypozincemia is common in thalassemic patients, but in contrast, there is no copper deficiency. Further evaluation in this regard is recommended.
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