Zinc--essential micronutrient for child health and nutrition.

Ubicuity of zinc in nature has generally lead to the idea that human zinc deficiency is hardly to appear; however, the last 40 years of research studies showed clear correlation between zinc deficiency and several clinic manifestations: growth retardation, predisposal to infections, delay of wound healing, hypogonadism in boys. Zinc plays multiple roles, especially in pregnant women and children. Although the issue of micronutrient malnutrition has been pointed out in developing countries, it has been remarked also in developed ones, due to unbalanced nutrition and diets. The article aims pointing out important aspects related to zinc micronutrient: metabolic pathway, daily dosage, health benefits as prophylaxis and therapy of respiratory and digestive infections in children.