Copper and Copper/Zn Ratio in a Series of Children with Chronic Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Marlene Escobedo-Monge,María Torres-Hinojal,Enrique Barrado,Joaquín Parodi-Román,José Marugán-Miguelsanz,María Escobedo-Monge

doi:10.3390/nu13103578

Marlene Escobedo-Monge, María Torres-Hinojal + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13103578

Copy DOI

Abstract

Copper is an essential micronutrient for humans. A cross-sectional and comparative study was done to assess serum Cu levels and serum copper/zinc (Cu/Zn) ratio and its association with nutritional indicators in a series of children and adolescents with chronic diseases. Anthropometric, biochemical, dietary, body composition, and bone densitometry assessments were carried out. Serum Cu and Zn were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Seventy-eight patients (55% women) participated. The mean serum Cu in the entire series and by nutritional status through body mass index (BMI) was normal. Serum Cu decreased significantly with age and was meaningfully higher in children than in adolescents. The risk of finding altered Cu levels in children and men was higher than in adolescents and women, respectively. Twenty-two per cent of patients had abnormal serum copper levels, 13 had hypercupremia, and four had hypocupremia. The Cu/Zn ratio was greater than 1.00 for 87% of the patients, which is an indicator of an inflammatory state. All patients with hypozincemia and hypocupremia had deficient Zn intake, but only 65% of the patients with hypercupremia had dietary Zn deficiency. Consequently, the Cu/Zn ratio could indicate an inflammatory state and a high risk of zinc deficiency in this specific child population.

Highlights

It is generally recognized that numerous chronic diseases have their origins in childhood [1]
We evaluated whether the patients had diarrhea and the presence of some skin lesions related to zinc deficiency, such as hyperpigmented skin, rough skin, keratosis/keratitis, dermatitis, bullous/pustular dermatitis, and alopecia [35]
This study found that serum Cu and Cu/Zn, and Zn/Cu ratios had a significant association with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the entire series and in the undernutrition group

Summary

Introduction

It is generally recognized that numerous chronic diseases have their origins in childhood [1]. Advances in the early diagnosis and treatment of illnesses have led to an increase in the prevalence of chronic disease in children and adolescents [2]. Chronic diseases are rare in these age groups, they affect a non-negligible percentage of 10 to 20% of the child population [3]. More than 90% of children with chronic diseases or disabilities survive beyond the second decade, and more than 30% of youth ages 10 to 17 have a chronic illness [4]. Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are increasingly common causes of childhood illness and death [6]. The onset, symptoms, and evolution of chronic pathologies depend on the genetic expression and antioxidant–anti-inflammatory system of the organism, which in turn depend on the basic nutrients and their active forms [5], as occurs with copper

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion