[Significance of zinc administration in premature infants]

The serum zinc level was determined in premature and mature neonates. Total 28 premature and 15 mature neonates were included in the examinations. Anodical re-dissolution technique an electrochemical method was applied for the measurements. The zinc content of breast milk, food preparation samples and infusion solutions was determined. It is stated that from the viewpoint of zinc intake neither the breast milk nor any available food preparation is satisfactory for feeding neonates of low birth weight. Attention is drawn to the importance of completing the parenteral feeding with zinc.