Role of Zinc, Copper, and Ascorbic Acid in some Common Clinical Paediatric Problems

Abstract

The ascorbic acid, zinc, and copper levels in the plasma of children with protein-energy malnutrition, asthma and sickle cell disease were determined. Children with malnutrition had low values of zinc and copper, those with asthma had low plasma copper and scorbic acid while those with sickle cell disease had low ascorbic acid and zinc levels. The use of these trace elements particularly vitamin C and zinc in the management of children with malnutrition and sickle cell disease in our environment would seem justified and should thus be given serious consideration.