Zinc, copper, and growth status in children and adolescents

The associations between serum zinc and copper concentrations and anthropometric variables in 3415 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 15-, and 18-y-old Finnish girls and boys were investigated to identify groups with low serum zinc or copper concentrations and retarded growth, possibly suggesting deficiencies. Serum zinc levels and height, wt, body mass index, and skinfold thickness were not strongly related. Serum copper levels were negatively correlated with height and positively with wt, body mass index, and skinfold thickness. These relationships were clearest in both sexes between the ages of 9 and 15 y. Height, wt, body mass index, and skinfold thickness in subjects with very low or high serum values were in agreement with the correlations between these anthropometric variables and serum levels. Groups with clear deficiencies of zinc or copper could not be identified. We conclude that copper levels especially are correlated with stature between the ages of 3 and 18 y. In addition, the results suggest that deficiency states affecting growth are not very likely in healthy Finnish children and adolescents.