Serum and rectal mucosal copper status in acute and chronic diarrhea.

Abstract

Serum and rectal mucosal copper content was estimated in children (6-18 months old) with acute diarrhea (group I: n = 50), chronic diarrhea (group II: n = 25), extraintestinal infections (group III: n = 15), and apparently healthy controls (group IV: n = 20). The sex and nutritional status of various groups was comparable. The mean serum copper levels in acute diarrhea and infected control groups were comparable, but significantly (p less than 0.001) greater in comparison to chronic diarrhea and healthy control groups. The tissue copper in group II was significantly (p less than 0.001) lower than other groups, which were comparable. There was a significant negative correlation between serum copper and diarrheal duration (r = -0.615; p less than 0.001). Repeat estimation at discharge in 38 patients (25 in group I and 13 in group II) revealed a significant (p less than 0.05) reduction in the serum and tissue copper content during this period. Among the 23 infants (16 in group I and 7 in group II) evaluated 2-3 weeks after discharge, there was an increase in copper values of tissue alone (p less than 0.05) in group I and both serum and tissue (p less than 0.05) in group II. It is concluded that elevation of serum copper in acute diarrhea is a nonspecific response to infection; infants with chronic but not acute diarrhea are copper depleted at presentation; and with the continuation of diarrhea, there is a progressive depletion of copper.