Serum zinc level of healthy individuals living in western province of Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

To establish a normal serum zinc level range of healthy individuals at different age group living in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. A prospective, cross section study of 276 healthy subjects, 138 males and 138 females was done. Their ages ranged from 1 month to seventy years. They were divided into nine groups according to the Recommended Dietary Allowances Classification for both sexes. Sample were collected and zinc level determined using method of Parker. Serum zinc level were found to be different at different age group, the highest were found to be at earliest stages of life and at the age of 15 - 50 years for both sexes. The serum zinc level range of all ages were found to be [0.50 - 13.90 umol/L] which is lower than the international established standard [7.65 - 22.95 umol/L]