ISSN:
1572-9915
Keywords:
zinc
;
nutrition
;
growth
;
central nervous system malformations
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
,
Ethnic Sciences
Notes:
Abstract In the last few years, considerable evidence has been obtained regarding the importance of zinc in human nutrition. Zinc is an important component of many metalloenzymes and is also required for metabolism of nucleic acids and synthesis of protein. Human requirements for zinc vary at different times in development, but appear to be particularly high during embryonic life, during periods of rapid growth, and during pregnancy. Although zinc is widely distributed in foods, a number of types of diets appear to be deficient or marginal in terms of available zinc. In addition, there is physiological loss of zinc in bleeding and sweating which may lead to low levels of body zinc. A syndrome characterized by markedly retarded growth and sexual development that occurs in the Middle East has been shown to be due to zinc deficiency. This syndrome is reviewed. It is thought that the zinc deficiency syndrome is only one end of a continuum of growth-related problems associated with low levels of physiologically available zinc. In rats, zinc deficiency during pregnancy has been shown to lead to congenital malformations in a large percentage of the offspring. A number of these malformations involve the central nervous system. We have suggested that epidemiological data support the possible importance of maternal zinc deficiency as an etiological factor in human CNS malformations. These data are discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01531772
