Serum levels of trace elements (zinc and copper) in malnourished children in Bangladesh.

Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu) were measured in children suffering from Marasmic-Kwashiorkor with various infections. On admission to hospital Zn level was low in all patients (39.6 = 15.9 ug 88.7 = 16.8 ug %). On nutritional rehabilitation without any Zn supplementation, Zn level showed improvement but in one group, who had initially very low level, subjects were still Zn deficient. Cu level was found low in 50% cases studied, and most of them had vit-B2 deficiency also. Cu level did not show significant rise on nutritional therapy without Cu supplementation (JPMA 33:251, 1983).