Serum zinc and copper levels in children with meningococcal disease.

Mean serum zinc and copper levels were depressed in 94 children aged 1 month to 9 years who presented with meningococcal disease. The mean serum zinc level was 44 micrograms/dl (reference value 78 micrograms/dl, SD 18) and the mean serum copper level 157 micrograms/dl (reference value 159 micrograms/dl, SD 27). Nineteen patients had serum zinc levels less than 25 micrograms/dl and ten patients had serum copper levels less than 101 micrograms/dl. Serum zinc levels were significantly lower in patients who were septicaemic or in whom manifestations of severe disease such as shock, more than 20 petechiae, ecchymoses and evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation occurred compared to those without these features. Serum copper concentrations were higher than reference levels in patients with meningitis and in less severely ill patients. Copper levels were significantly lower in patients with septicaemia, severe disease, shock, more than 20 petechiae, ecchymoses, disseminated intravascular coagulation, leucopenia and patients who died compared with patients without these features.