Zinc deficiency in surgical patients: a clinical study.

Four stressed surgical patients who had different diseases are presented. They had dermatitis associated with low serum zinc levels but were not on total parenteral nutrition. The range of serum zinc varied between 25 and 56 mu/dl when first seen. All but one had hypoalbuminemia and anemia; one patient had diarrhea. When measured, other microelements were normal. These patients were thought to have zinc deficiency and all their symptoms responded favorably to oral zinc and nutritional support. A highlight of previous reported cases of zinc deficiency is presented along with a brief review of the subject. Acute stress including major operations will decrease the serum zinc level temporarily. Zinc deficiency may be the result of chronic zinc depletion caused by other conditions. Chronic leg ulcers are associated with low serum zinc levels and might precipitate zinc selectively. A zinc supplement will help in the healing of these ulcers and wounds in general. The possibility of an interrelationship of zinc and other microelements is raised but is not clear.