Plasma zinc status of protein energy malnourished children.

The plasma zinc status, albumin level and alkaline phosphatase activity of 44 protein energy malnourished Nigerian children were compared with those of 10 normal children. Results were classified according to the type and degree of malnutrition. Plasma zinc levels were low in the malnourished groups and tended to vary with the degree of malnutrition as indicated by the level of growth retardation. Levels in the 'normal' group of children suggest a possible presence of marginal zinc nutrition among Nigerian children.