Zinc deficiency. A public health problem?
Sandstead, H.H.
American Journal of Diseases of Children 145(8): 853-859
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-922X PMID: 1858720 Document Number: 379668
A review. Zinc deficiency occurs in individuals and populations whose diets are low in sources of readily bioavailable Zn, such as red meat, and high in unrefined cereals that are rich in phytate and dietary fibre. Dietary Zn deficiency was described nearly 3 decades ago among the poor of the Middle East. it is now known to occur in children and adolescents from widely diverse areas, including Egypt, Iran, Turkey, China, Yugoslavia, Canada and the USA, and among pregnant women from Iran, Turkey, UK, Australia and the USA. Major manifestations include retarded growth and development and an increased incidence of pregnancy complications. Other manifestations may include suppressed immunity, poor healing, dermatitis and impairments in neuropsychological functions. Precise information as to the numbers of people affected by dietary Zn deficiency is not available. Even so, the nature of diets associated with Zn deficiency suggests the mild deficiency is common in some populations.