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Detecting subclinical deficiency of essential trace elements in children with special reference to zinc and selenium
1Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Insights
Infants may face risks of trace element deficiencies, particularly zinc and selenium. Early detection is challenging, highlighting the need for better diagnostic methods to identify subclinical deficiencies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Human Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Trace elements are vital for infant development and health.
- Subclinical deficiencies can occur, posing risks to infant well-being.
- Assessing trace element status presents diagnostic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review situations indicating potential trace element deficiencies in infants.
- To discuss the difficulties in accurately assessing trace element status.
- To highlight subclinical deficiencies of zinc and selenium in infants.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of documented trace element deficiency states in infants.
- Analysis of diagnostic challenges in assessing trace element status.
- Case examples illustrating subclinical zinc and selenium deficiencies.
Main Results:
- Deficiencies of various trace elements are documented in infants.
- A significant, underdiagnosed population of infants with subclinical deficiency likely exists.
- Most infants are protected from severe deficiency by physiological regulatory systems.
Conclusions:
- Infant trace element deficiencies are a recognized concern.
- Improved diagnostic tools are essential for detecting trace element imbalances.
- Further research is needed to refine methods for assessing trace element status.
Objective:
This article reviews situations in which we should be alert to the risk of trace element deficiencies, and the difficulties of assessing trace element status, as illustrated by states of potential subclinical deficiency of zinc and selenium in infants.
Conclusion:
Deficiency states of many trace elements have been documented in infants, and there is probably an underdiagnosed group of infants with subclinical deficiency, from which however the great majority are protected by effective regulatory systems. Specific, sensitive, and reliable methods are needed for the detection of trace element imbalances.