[Serum zinc levels in children with celiac disease]

The gastrointestinal tract is an important organ in the maintenance of zinc homeostasis. We determined the serum zinc level in 140 samples from 78 children with coeliac disease in different phases. Abnormally low values were found only in children with acute coeliac disease (50% below 2 SD), but not in children receiving a gluten-free diet. We therefore suggest to measure the serum zinc concentration in children with coeliac disease and to add a zinc supplementation in patients with diminished zinc values during a period of 2-4 weeks, because zinc deficiency could inhibit the recovery of the intestinal mucosa.