ABSTRACT
Studies were carried out on erythrocyte, granulocyte and lymphocyte zinc content of aboriginal children at the La Grange settlement in the north-west area of the Kimberley. Forty-eight children, 34 boys and 14 girls between 6 and 13 years were studied. Only the boys were investigated for white blood cell (WBC) zinc. Twenty-five Caucasian children volunteered to give blood for control studies. Two approaches were made concerning zinc analyses, atomic absorption spectroscopy and proton induced x-ray emission. It was found that lymphocyte, granulocyte and erythrocyte zinc content were significantly reduced in aboriginal boys aged 6 to 13 years. Since the turnover of white blood cells is relatively fast, it follows that the zinc content of these cells may be a true index of current zinc status confirming previous observations.
