Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 3, 2026
Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells
Published on: May 16, 2019
Serum zinc and copper levels in healthy Japanese infants
Insights
Serum zinc and copper levels in Japanese infants change significantly during the first year of life. Breastfeeding may positively influence these essential mineral concentrations in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Serum zinc and copper are vital trace elements for infant growth and development.
- Understanding normal ranges and fluctuations is crucial for assessing infant nutritional status.
- Previous research has indicated potential variations in these minerals during early life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal changes in serum zinc and copper concentrations in healthy Japanese infants.
- To compare mineral levels across different age points from infancy to early childhood.
- To explore potential influences of feeding methods (breastfeeding vs. bottle-feeding) on these concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 45 healthy Japanese infants aged 5 days to 12 months.
- Zinc and copper concentrations were measured using appropriate analytical techniques.
- Statistical analyses were performed to determine significant changes and correlations.
Main Results:
- Serum zinc decreased significantly by one month, remaining low until six months, then increasing.
- Serum copper was lower in newborns compared to older children, normalizing by five months.
- No significant sex-based differences were observed, but breastfeeding showed a tendency towards higher zinc and copper levels.
Conclusions:
- Infant serum zinc and copper concentrations undergo dynamic changes in the first year of life.
- Breastfeeding may be associated with higher serum zinc and copper levels in infants.
- These findings contribute to establishing reference ranges for infant nutrition assessment.
Abstract:
The serum zinc and copper concentrations were measured in 45 healthy Japanese infants with age ranging from 5 days to 12 months. At one month of age there was a significant decrease in serum zinc concentration, and this low level persisted until 6 months of age when a significant increase in serum zinc concentration was observed. Serum zinc concentrations remained relatively stable between 6 and 12 months of age. The concentration of serum copper in newborn infants was significantly lower than in healthy children (age: 6 to 12 years), but had risen by 5 months of age to the same levels. There were no significant differences in serum zinc and copper concentrations between male and female infants. However, there was a tendency for serum zinc levels in exclusively breastfed infants to be higher than those in bottlefed infants at 3 months of age and for serum copper levels in exclusively or partially breastfed infants to be higher than those in bottlefed infants at one month of age.
