Plasma zinc and copper levels in children

Plasma zinc and copper levels were studied in 250 healthy school children, aged 5 to 15 years, belonging to middle and higher socio-economic strata. Mean zinc level was 62.47 +/- 13.25 micro g/dl in boys and 64.97 +/- 19.88 g/dl in girls. Mean copper level was 60.12 +/- 12.07 micro g/dl in boys and G4.B2 +/- 16.9 micro g/dl in girls. These levels were significantly lower than international reference range as well as the figures quoted for children of Australia. This lower range may be to dietary habits of our population, which include high intake of phytate containing cereals