Clinical conditions altering copper metabolism in humans.

Overt copper deficiency is not believed to be a widespread public health concern for most population groups. However, a variety of case studies suggest that under certain circumstances, clinical conditions may predispose individuals to the risk of copper deficiency or copper excess. Acquired copper deficiency has been documented in conditions predisposing to inadequate copper intakes, in prematurity, in malabsorption syndromes, and in conditions predisposing to excessive copper losses. In contrast, increases in copper concentrations have been reported in response to stress, inflammation, and infection; in Parkinson disease and diabetes mellitus; and in conditions involving an obstruction to bile flow.