Zinc Deficiency in the Premature Infant
K. Michael Hambidge MD, FRCP(Ed)1
1 Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 East Ninth Ave, Box C233, Denver, CO 80262
Although zinc was recognized to be essential for the growth of microorganisms during the 19th century, and for the growth of mammals 50 years ago, interest in the role of zinc in human nutrition has developed only in the last 20 years. Hence, in contrast to iron and iodine, zinc can be regarded as one of the "newer" trace elements in this context. Human deficiencies of several of these newer trace elements are now recognized, but human zinc deficiency syndromes are of special interest to the clinician. The clinical importance of this trace element stems from the frequency of zinc deficiency states relative to those of the other newer trace elements, the wide variety of circumstances in which zinc deficiency may occur, the number of organ systems and major metabolic pathways that may be affected, and the extent of the clinical consequences. The cardinal importance of zinc for normal growth and development, both prenatally and postnatally make this micronutrient of special interest to the obstetrician and pediatrician.
This article will focus primarily on the premature infant. Despite the paucity of information, zinc nutrition is of particular concern in this nutritionally challenging population group for several reasons. First, the relatively rapid growth of the healthy premature infant, after initial stabilization, suggests the need for relatively large quantities of zinc to meet the demands of new tissue, especially lean body mass.
