Children should not lack zinc

The slogan "Children with zinc deficiency, use zinc gluconate" was once familiar to everyone, but many parents know little about zinc deficiency in children. In fact, zinc, like calcium, is one of the essential trace elements for the human body and an important component of the body. Although the content is very small, it has very important functions. Zinc deficiency or insufficiency can lead to growth retardation, decreased immune function, and repeated infections in children. Zinc deficiency mainly occurs in children aged 6 months to 3 years old. There is currently a lack of large-scale national survey data on the incidence rate. Some studies have reported that the incidence rate of zinc deficiency in children aged 6 months to 3 years is as high as 14.93%. With the development of social economy and changes in people's diet and lifestyle, the deficiency of micronutrients in children (zinc, iron, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D, etc.) has become a major nutritional problem for children in my country, which needs to be paid attention to by parents.

1. What are the clinical manifestations of zinc deficiency?

The clinical manifestations of zinc deficiency vary depending on the severity of the disease and the age of the child.

Symptoms of zinc deficiency in different degrees

Mild: It often occurs in people who do not consume enough zinc in the short term, and the symptoms and signs are atypical.

Moderate: Diarrhea, growth retardation, anorexia, delayed sexual maturation, and behavioral changes may be seen.

Severe: Occurs in children with acrodermatitis enteropathica or long-term use of penicillamine for the treatment of hepatolenticular degeneration (WD), with the characteristic manifestations of the triad of oral and acral dermatitis, diarrhea, and alopecia.

Symptoms of zinc deficiency at different ages

Newborns, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers: Cognitive impairment, behavioral and emotional changes are common. In severe cases, skin lesions may occur on the limbs or around the mouth.

School-age children: hair loss, growth retardation, blepharoconjunctivitis, recurrent infections.

Pubertal adolescents: delayed sexual maturation.

2. What are the common causes of zinc deficiency?

Inadequate zinc intake

Inadequate zinc intake from breast milk: maternal gene mutation.

Insufficient dietary zinc intake: Infants and children with diarrhea after 6 months of age should mainly eat plant-based foods.

Preterm/small for gestational age infants have increased zinc requirements.

Zinc malabsorption

Digestive tract dysfunction: Pancreatic insufficiency and inflammatory bowel disease can affect intestinal zinc absorption.

Phytic acid: Phytic acid combines with zinc in the intestinal cavity to form an insoluble complex, which causes zinc to be unabsorbed and undigested.

Drug factors: Calcium, iron, acid-suppressing drugs (ranitidine, etc.) and quinolones (ofloxacin, etc.) can affect the absorption of zinc.

Excessive zinc excretion

Kidney disease, diarrhea, diuretics, etc. can lead to abnormal increase in zinc excretion in urine.

Zinc homeostasis disorders

The liver is the exchange depot of the zinc homeostasis regulation system, and liver diseases increase the risk of zinc deficiency.

other

Diarrhea: Diarrhea causes secondary zinc deficiency. Guidelines recommend routine zinc supplementation for children with acute diarrhea.

Recurrent respiratory tract infections: Gastrointestinal symptoms caused by upper respiratory tract infections and pneumonia can reduce zinc intake and absorption. Zinc deficiency can lead to recurrent respiratory tract infections.

3. How to prevent and treat zinc deficiency?

prevention

If you are breastfeeding, have insufficient breast milk, or cannot breastfeed, choose a formula fortified with zinc.

Infants aged 4-6 months should be given complementary foods in a timely manner, with zinc-fortified foods or animal foods rich in zinc, such as meat, eggs, and liver, being the first choice.

For high-risk groups who are prone to zinc deficiency, the daily zinc supply should be appropriately supplemented.

treat

First correct the cause of zinc deficiency.

Zinc supplementation should be prioritized through daily dietary zinc supplementation.

Zinc supplementation should be administered orally, and it is advisable to use zinc supplements that are easily soluble in water and easily absorbed, such as zinc gluconate, licorice zinc, zinc acetate, zinc citrate, amino acid zinc, zinc lactate, etc.

Zinc deficiency can seriously affect children's health and cause multi-system damage. We must actively prevent zinc deficiency, adhere to a balanced diet, reasonably combine animal and plant foods, and avoid partial eclipse. Parents should not panic for children diagnosed with zinc deficiency. Please follow the doctor's advice, actively correct the cause of zinc deficiency, eat a reasonable diet, take oral zinc supplements, and supplement zinc scientifically without abuse. "Children should not be deficient in zinc." I hope every child is a healthy baby who "does not lack zinc"!

References

[1] Shen Kunling, Lin Likai, Feng Jiajia, et al. Expert consensus on clinical prevention and treatment of zinc deficiency in children[J]. Journal of Pediatric Pharmacy, 2020, 26(03): 46-50. DOI: 10.13407/j.cnki.jpp.1672-108X.2020.03.015.

[2] Huang Yashen. Epidemiological investigation and analysis of related factors of zinc deficiency in children in Liwan District[J]. Modern Hospital, 2012, 12(09): 150-151.

[3] Sheng Xiaoyang, Xiang Wei, Wang Weiping, et al. Recommendations for the prevention and treatment of micronutrient deficiencies in children[J]. Chinese Journal of Pediatrics, 2010(07):502-509.

[4] Sheng Xiaoyang. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of iron and zinc deficiency in infants and young children[J]. Journal of Clinical Pediatrics, 2014, 32(11): 1098-1100.

(Author: Xu Lina, Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital; Reviewer: Lu Qinghong)