We studied the effect of gestational age and maturity on plasma zinc and copper levels at 10 and 120 days of age. The association of plasma zinc changes and body growth was also investigated. Infants were receiving a controlled intake of zinc and copper solely through a zinc-supplemented formula (4.7 mg/L of zinc and 0.16 mg/L of copper). Twenty-eight low-birthweight infants (less than 2,500 g) having gestational ages ranging from 33 to 40 weeks [17 with an appropriate birthweight for gestational age (AGA) and 11 small for gestational age (SGA)] were enrolled in the present study. Measurements of plasma zinc and copper concentration, weight, length, head circumference, and tricipital and subscapular skinfolds were carried out at 10 and 120 days of age. Proton-induced x-ray fluorescence technique (PIXE) was used to assess copper and zinc concentrations. At 10 days of age a significant correlation between copper concentration and gestational age was found. At 120 days of age the copper concentration was higher than at 10 days and independent of gestational age and maturity (mean +/- SEM = 116 +/- 5 micrograms/dl). At 10 days of age no significant correlation between zinc content and gestational age was found (86 +/- 4 micrograms/dl). The plasma zinc percent change over the period from 10 to 120 days of age was positively correlated with gestational age in the whole sample as well as in AGA and SGA infants separately.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Body Height↗

PubMed1984

Zinc levels of serum, hair and urine in homozygous beta-thalassemic subjects under hypertransfusional treatment.

The concentration of zinc in serum, hair and urine has been examined in 92 homozygous beta-thalassemic and 81 control subjects. The results were not statistically different in the subjects of each group studied (thalassemic and control persons of different ages: 1-12, 12-18, and 18-35 years). In the thalassemic children no statistically significant differences were observed between those normally growing and those with impaired growth. The authors hypothesize that hypertransfusional treatment prevents zinc deficiency in the thalassemic patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1983

CT demonstration of bilateral Castleman tumors in the mediastinum.

A case of bilateral Castleman tumors in the posterior mediastinum is described. Computed tomography proved to be an accurate, noninvasive method of investigation since it identified not only a large mass but also a smaller mass, which was not visible on standard chest X-ray film. Complete surgical excision was possible. The high attenuation values of both masses demonstrated the hypervascularity of the lesion.

Humans↗

PubMed1981