[Metabolic balance of zinc in infants and children]

Zinc metabolism in infants and children was evaluated on the basis of chemical balance studies of this element. The zinc intake chemically measured oscillated in the broad limits from 0,2 to 17,1 mg/d according to the age and to the manner of feeding; the highly positive zinc retentions were obtained only in infants with high intake of this element. Zinc in the diet of infants in some part derived from water. Low positive retentions were observed by intake in the limits of daily allowances (3-5 mg/d) and by the low content of calcium in the diet. About one half of zinc balances was negative because of relatively low zinc intake and the high calcium intake. The negative zinc balances could be caused also by the suggested presence of antinutritive substances in the diet. The low zinc intake founded in older children (3-10 years) and the low retention of this element could be the reason zinc deficiency states in children of different age.