Sensibilidade da cinética do zinco e avaliação nutricional em crianças submetidas ao teste venoso de tolerância ao zinco

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinetics of this micronutrient in schoolchildren between the ages of 6 and 9 years, of both sexes, and to verify its sensitivity in detecting alterations in body zinc status. Methods: Nutritional assessment was performed by body mass index. Food intake, venous zinc tolerance test and zinc kinetics were carried out before and after 3-month oral zinc supplementation. Results: Of the 42 children studied, 76.2% had healthy weight. Only energy, calcium and fiber intake were suboptimal before and after oral zinc supplementation. Serum zinc and total-body zinc clearance, although at normal levels, increased significantly after zinc supplementation. Conclusion: We concluded, therefore, that kinetics is a sensitive tool for detecting changes in body zinc status, even in children without a deficiency of this mineral. Furthermore, kinetics showed a positive response to supplementation and may be a sensitive parameter to evaluate the efficacy of this therapy