[Zinc status evaluation in an elderly institutionalized population]

Elderly people is at high nutritional risk for zinc, specially marginal deficit, which could contribute to complications of chronic diseases and undernutrition. The aim of study was to know the zinc status of 83 elderly people (older than 60), from both sexes, living in geriatric home. Zinc serum levels, alkaline phosphatase serum levels; albumin serum levels, energy, proteins and zinc dietary intake and gustative sensitivity were determined. Results expressed as mean +/- DS are the following: serum zinc: 90.89 +/- 19.0 micrograms/dl, alkaline phosphatase: 125.41 +/- 24.2 IU/L, albumin serum: 3.9 +/- 0.76 g/dl energy intake: 1643 +/- 309.9 Kcal/day, protein intake: 59.96 +/- 13.2 g/day, zinc intake 7.9 +/- 3.0 mg/day, only energy and zinc intake were deficient. 18.1% had zinc values under 70 micrograms/dl. There was 54% of positive responses to the taste acuity tests. This results qualify this group as at risk, specially for zinc nutritional.