Serum Copper And Zinc Levels in Preschool Children 7 Int J Res Med. 2013; 2(1);7-10 e ISSN:2320-2742 p ISSN: 2320-2734 SERUM COPPER AND ZINC LEVELS IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH PROTEIN ENERGY MALNUTRITION Asha Khubchandani* 1 , Hiren Sanghani 2 , Gagandeep Sidhu 1 , Sandip Sendhav 2 , Paulin Gandhi 2 , Viral Solanki 2 1 Associate professor, 2 Resident, Departments of Biochemistry, B.J.Medical College & Civil Hospital – Ahmedabad. Gujarat, INTRODUCTION Malnutrition is like an iceberg, most people in the developing countries live under the burden of malnutrition. 1 Malnutrition continues to be a primary cause of ill health and mortality among children in developing countries. Children, especially those less than 5 years old, are among the most susceptible. It is a major public health problem and accounts for about half of all child deaths worldwide. 2 Besides poverty, there are other factors that directly or indirectly affect the nutritional status of children. Several studies showed that maternal education emerges as a key element of an overall strategy to address malnutrition. 2 The best global indicator of children’s well being is growth. Poor growth is attributable to a range of factors closely linked to overall standards of living and the ability of populations to meet their basic needs, such as access to food, housing and health care. Assessment of growth is the single measurement that best defines the nutritional and health status of children, and provides an indirect measurement of the quality of life of the entire population. 2 In addition to deficiencies of energy and proteins, children with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) have been found to be deficient in micronutrients. 3,4 Causes of malnutrition include, inadequate intake as a result of insufficient or inappropriate supply of food, early cessation of breastfeeding, cultural and religious beliefs, poor sanitation, increased armed conflicts and chronic diseases. 5,6 Zinc and copper are essential nutrients for human beings as they are required for the functional activity of several enzyme systems. Trace element deficiencies are common in children with protein energy malnutrition and, as a result, they may suffer from various nutrient-specific deficiency disorders. 7 The *Corresponding Author Dr. Asha S Khubchandani Associate Professor in Biochemistry 11, Vidhi Bunglows, New C.G. Road, Chandkheda,Ahmedabad-382424,Gujarat. Email : ashakhub@yahoo.com ORIGINAL ARTICLE ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is like an iceberg, most people in the developing countries live under the burden of malnutrition. The objective of the study was to determine the serum copper and serum zinc level in preschool children with protein energy malnutrition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum zinc and copper were estimated in thirty (30) malnourished pre-school-age children (age, 6-60 months) and thirty (30) age-and sex-matched apparently healthy well nourished controls to evaluate the effect of protein- energy malnutrition on serum zinc and copper. Along with that serum total protein and serum albumin were also measured. RESULTS: Mean serum zinc and copper were significantly reduced (p<0.05) in malnourished than in well-nourished children. While serum total protein was significantly lower (p<0.05) in malnourished than the controls, and comparable (p>0.05).Among kwashiorkor and marasmus, serum albumin was significantly lower (p<0.05) in kwashiorkor than in marasmus. CONCLUSION: For effective management of protein-energy malnutrition, zinc and copper supplementation should be part of treatment regimen, however, in order to prevent zinc and copper deficiency and its health implications in pre-school age children, food fortification should be promoted. Keywords: Protein energy malnutrition, Serum albumin, Serum Copper, Serum total protein, Serum Zinc