Trace-element nutrition
Hambidge, K.M.
Pediatric Annals 10(11): 53-59
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0090-4481 PMID: 7339549 Document Number: 169310
The clinical significance of zinc, copper, and selenium deficiencies, and the recent advances in improving the understanding of their significance are summarized. Recommendations for infant's zinc and copper intake are 100 and 20 micrograms/kg body weight/day (kg/d), respectively, and 300 micrograms/kg/d zinc for low-birth-weight premature infants. The effects of deficiency of these trace elements and appropriate therapy are discussed. Interest in chromium deficiency recently has been stimulated by the observation of its favorable effect on serum lipid profiles (elvated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) through chromium supplementation. Recommendations for various mineral and vitamin supplementations based on chemical analysies of human hair may be misleading. While the toxicity associated with overdoses of heavier trace elements (e.g., lead, mercury, cadmium, copper are well-recognized clinically, the margin between physiologic and toxic doses of selenium and molybdenum is relatively small necessitating caution in use as supplements. Identification of additional human trace element deficiencies can be anticipated in the near future. (wz)