Plasma zinc and copper levels in children from low income families

ABSTRACT

In continuation to a previous study, plasma zinc and copper levels were studied in 200 school children aged 6 to 15 years from low income families. The mean plasma zinc level was 47 +/- 10.8 micro g/dl for boys and -53 +/- 12.3 micro g/dl for girls, whereas copper levels were 74 +/- 5.9 micro g/dl for boys and 74 +/- 6.9 micro p,/dl for girls. Mean plasma zinc levels obsemed in this group were significantly lower [P<0.001] than the corresponding figures for children of similar age and sex distribution from high and middle income families. On the contrary meats plasma copper levels were sequential higher [P<0.001] in children from low income families as compared to the counterparts from middle and higher income families. Various possible reasons for these differences have been discussed