Trace element studies in Karachi populations. Part III: Blood copper, zinc, magnesium and lead levels in psychiatric patients with disturbed behaviour.

Blood levels of copper, zinc, magnesium and lead were determined in 29 males and 15 females suffering from disturbed behaviour. As far as we could ascertain they were under no medication and belonged to low income groups. Male patients had significantly higher levels than female patients for zinc (0.05 greater than P greater than 0.01) but there was no sexual difference for magnesium or copper. In patients copper and lead levels were higher than for normals (P less than 0.01), but no difference could be found for Mg and Zn. At least one metal abnormality was observed in 19 (65.5%) of the males and 9 (60.0%) of the female patients.