COPPER DEFICIENCY COMPLICATING SEVERE CHRONIC INTESTINAL MALABSORPTION

Abstract

A case of chronic, severe diarrhea and maldigestion beginning in early infancy and possibly due to primary lactase deficiency is presented. By the age of 19 months, this had resulted in marked copper deficiency with anemia, neutropenia, osteoporosis, pathological fractures and probably aggravation of intestinal enzyme activity deficiency. At 6 4/12 years of age copper therapy produced a dramatic improvement in all manifestations, including the maldigestion, and there was a striking growth response.