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Evaluation of Trace Elements and Their Relationship with Growth and Development of Young Children

Jia Cao1, Zhenyan Gao1, Jin Yan1

  • 1MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.

Biological Trace Element Research
|October 20, 2015
PubMed

Insights

This study found that trace elements like zinc are linked to better growth in Shanghai children. Ensuring adequate levels through diet or supplements can improve child development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Environmental Health
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Childhood growth and development are influenced by essential trace elements.
  • Understanding trace element levels in urban populations is crucial for public health.
  • Previous research indicates potential links between nutrition and child development outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess trace element concentrations (zinc, calcium, iron, copper, magnesium) in Shanghai children.
  • To investigate the relationship between these trace elements and children's growth and development indicators.
  • To provide scientific evidence for trace element supplementation strategies in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • A stratified, clustered, random sampling approach was employed.
  • Blood samples were collected from 2141 children aged 0-6 years.
  • Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure trace element concentrations.
  • Anthropometric parameters (height-for-age, weight-for-age, BMI) were assessed using Z-scores (HAZ, WAZ, BMIZ).

Main Results:

  • Median blood levels were established for zinc (8.83 mg/L), calcium (79.02 mg/L), iron (9.49 mg/L), copper (1.04 mg/L), and magnesium (15.45 mg/L).
  • Iron, copper, and magnesium levels increased with age.
  • Zinc, iron, and copper levels varied significantly by sex.
  • Height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) and weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) showed positive correlations with zinc levels.
  • Trace elements were significantly associated with children's growth and development metrics.

Conclusions:

  • Trace element status is significantly related to the growth and development of children.
  • Dietary supplementation and nutritional screening are recommended to enhance pediatric growth.
  • Findings support targeted interventions to optimize trace element intake in children.

Keywords:
ChildrenGrowth developmentInductively coupled plasma mass spectrometryTrace elements

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