Prevalence of Zinc Deficiency in Healthy 1-3-Year-Old Children from Three Western European Countries

Evaluation of imprecision in the different detection methods of Zn based on 5 years of data from an external quality assessment program in China

BACKGROUND

This study examines the imprecision of zinc (Zn) measurements across various clinical detection methods by analyzing the external quality assessment (EQA) data from 2018 to 2022. The findings of this study aim to offer recommendations for enhancing Zn measurements.

METHODS

Participating laboratories were grouped into peer categories based on the detection methods. The robust mean and coefficient of variation (CV) of the samples were calculated following ISO 13528 guidelines. The evaluation criteria for optimal, desirable, and minimum allowable imprecision in Zn estimation are 2.50%, 5.05%, and 7.55%, respectively, based on biological variation. Furthermore, the study examined inter-lab CVs, inter-method bias, and the passing rate. The impact of sample concentration on CVs and the pass rate was also investigated.

RESULTS

Over the past five years, 4283 laboratories participated in the EQA program, showing a high pass rate that improved as sample concentration increased. Differential pulse polarography (DPP) demonstrated stable and low CVs (0.61-1.86%). Although differential pulse stripping (DPS) was less stable than DPP, it still exhibited a low CV (0.71-3.10%). Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) performed similarly and displayed stable CVs (2.39-4.42%) within the acceptable range of desirable imprecision (5.05%). However, the CVs for ICP-MS were unacceptable in three out of the five years (5.28-6.20%). In 2022, the number of participating laboratories for DDP, DPS, GFAAS, FAAS and ICP-MS is 131, 35, 35, 820 and 72, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study provides reliable insights into the imprecision of Zn measurements in clinical laboratories. The findings indicate that additional efforts are required to reduce the imprecision of ICP-MS in Zn measurements.

The Role of Zinc in Developed Countries in Pediatric Patients: A 360-Degree View

Zinc is an important trace element for growth and health at pediatric ages. Zinc is fundamental in inflammatory pathways, oxidative balance, and immune function. Zinc exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by modulating Nuclear Factor-kappa (NF-κB) activity and reducing histamine release from basophils, leukocytes, and mast cells. Furthermore, its antioxidant activity protects against oxidative damage and chronic diseases. Finally, zinc improves the ability to trigger effective immune responses against pathogens by contributing to the maturation of lymphocytes, the production of cytokines, and the regulation of apoptosis. Given these properties, zinc can be considered an adjunctive therapy in treating and preventing respiratory, nephrological, and gastrointestinal diseases, both acute and chronic. This review aims to deepen the role and metabolism of zinc, focusing on the role of supplementation in developed countries in pediatric diseases.

Environmental Scan of Online Government Complementary Feeding Resources in the United States

BACKGROUND

Parents commonly seek online sources of information on the important complementary feeding period, but the accuracy of these sources varies. The 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (IDEA) states federal government resources should be accurate and user-friendly; however, the quantity, quality, and accuracy of federal resources on complementary feeding is unknown.

METHODS

An environmental scan of online federal, parent-facing resources about complementary feeding was conducted. The authors reviewed federal resources for concordance of information with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). Quality was evaluated using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool.

RESULTS

A total of 112 resources across 2 federal government departments. Overall quality was high as was concordance with recommendations from the DGA for age of complementary food introduction, foods to introduce, and foods to avoid. Allergenic food introduction and textured food progression recommendations were less consistent. Recommendations for improvements to federal resources are made.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

This environmental scan only included federal resources for CF. Parents may be accessing other, non-federal resources online. However, given the enactment of IDEA, it is expected that these federal resources will be up-to-date and user-friendly, which was not always the case. Nurses should review the DGA guidelines for complementary feeding and provide evidence-based anticipatory guidance to families, focusing especially on allergenic food introduction and textured food progression. Future complementary feeding interventions may benefit from directing families to online exemplars from federal sources.

Genomic approaches for improving grain zinc and iron content in wheat

More than three billion people worldwide suffer from iron deficiency associated anemia and an equal number people suffer from zinc deficiency. These conditions are more prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In developing countries, children under the age of five with stunted growth and pregnant or lactating women were found to be at high risk of zinc and iron deficiencies. Biofortification, defined as breeding to develop varieties of staple food crops whose grain contains higher levels of micronutrients such as iron and zinc, are one of the most promising, cost-effective and sustainable ways to improve the health in resource-poor households, particularly in rural areas where families consume some part of what they grow. Biofortification through conventional breeding in wheat, particularly for grain zinc and iron, have made significant contributions, transferring important genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) from wild and related species into cultivated wheat. Nonetheless, the quantitative, genetically complex nature of iron and zinc levels in wheat grain limits progress through conventional breeding, making it difficult to attain genetic gain both for yield and grain mineral concentrations. Wheat biofortification can be achieved by enhancing mineral uptake, source-to-sink translocation of minerals and their deposition into grains, and the bioavailability of the minerals. A number of QTLs with major and minor effects for those traits have been detected in wheat; introducing the most effective into breeding lines will increase grain zinc and iron concentrations. New approaches to achieve this include marker assisted selection and genomic selection. Faster breeding approaches need to be combined to simultaneously increase grain mineral content and yield in wheat breeding lines.

Effects of micronutrient and phytochemical supplementation on cardiovascular health in obese and overweight children: a narrative review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cardiovascular damage could begin early in life. Our aim was to examine the current state of the art related to micronutrient supplementation on vascular health in obese and overweight children. We considered only the studies performed over the past few years.

RECENT FINDINGS

Vitamin D supplementation in the obese pediatric population with vitamin D deficiency could improve the vascular health of these subjects. The evidence is less clear on supplementation with other micronutrients. Zinc supplementation is currently the most supported by the literature.

SUMMARY

As of today, we can only speculate that supplementation with other micronutrients could improve the vascular health of obese and overweight children. Strong limitations are the different instrumental methods used to assess vascular health in obese children and adolescents under micronutrients supplementation. Actually, indirect indicators more reliable to evaluate vascular health seem to be lipid profile and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, there is a particular lack of studies in this area in recent years, especially in the pediatric population. Additional studies performed in this population should be pursued to clarify significant relationships between micronutrients and vascular health.

Evaluation of micronutrients among pediatric liver cirrhosis in Shiraz, Iran

Background

Cirrhosis is the final result of most types of liver disease. Zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D have a significantly vital role in the immunologic and physiologic mechanisms in the body. The current study aimed to measure magnesium, zinc, and vitamin D level among children with liver cirrhosis.

Results

One hundred cases were included in the current study. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 53% of the cases. Zinc deficiency was present in 23% of the cases. The magnesium level was more than the normal level among 99% of the cases. There is a significant inverse correlation between zinc level and PELD score (Pearson correlation = − 0.314, P = 0.007).

Conclusion

Zinc deficiency and vitamin D deficiency were seen in children with liver cirrhosis. Serum magnesium level in children with liver cirrhosis was higher than standard. A significant correlation was seen between zinc level and PELD score.