The syndrome of neonatal copper deficiency
Ashkenazi, A.; Levin, S.; Djaldetti, M.; Fishel, E.; Benvenisti, D.
Pediatrics 52(4): 525-533
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-4005 PMID: 4742247 Document Number: 66967
A syndrome of primary copper deficiency seen in a premature infant when 6 months old is described. Because of persistent vomiting, he had been given a Cu-deficient diet of whole milk and 5% cane sugar for at least 3 months. A similar syndrome occurred in a premature infant after 3 months of parenteral feeding because of recurrent bowel surgery. Both were cured rapidly by treatment with a 1% solution of CuSO4 supplying 3 mg Cu daily by mouth. It is recommended that small premature infants be given supplements of 100 to 500 mu g Cu daily while milk is their only food or during prolonged intravenous feeding.