A prospective study of infant zinc nutrition during intensive care.

Zinc nutritional status was evaluated during intensive care for 55 infants. Plasma zinc, serum albumin, alkaline phosphatase, growth, nutrient intake, and clinical data were examined. The more premature infants (less than 32 wk gestational age) had higher zinc levels on admission, but their levels declined more rapidly than in more mature infants. Zinc level did not correlate with albumin or alkaline phosphatase. Low zinc levels (45 microgram/dl or less) occurred at about 6 wk in 14 of 39 premature infants. True zinc deficiency occurred in two premature infants; it was manifest by increased gastric residuals, poor suck, and decreased growth, but neither infant had the skin or gastrointestinal signs generally expected with zinc deficiency. There was evidence that sick premature infants may need more zinc than is currently recommended to supplement parenteral nutrition and more than the amount supplied in premature infant formulas currently available.