In several developed countries, zinc deficiency is often overlooked in infants, children, and adolescents during their important growth periods. The objective of the review article is to assess the evidence of deficiencies and toxicities of zinc along with its treatment in the pediatric population.

In the last decade, the importance of deficiency of zinc in childhood growth, morbidity and mortality has been documented by several large-scale supplementation trials in underdeveloped countries. Appreciation of the current nationwide shortage of injectable zinc, which was available for total parenteral nutrition supplementation for the past 2 years, has focused attention on the probability of zinc deficiency. Deficiency of zinc has increasing incidence in pediatric populations especially in developed countries. Earlier, it was thought of as a problem only in underdeveloped countries.

Zinc is a vital trace element in the body and is responsible for several structural, catalytic, and biochemical functions. Deficiency of zinc can happen due to poor dietary consumption, enteral causes, i.e. malabsorption and long-term parenteral nutrition without supplementation. Also, zinc deficiency is associated with respiratory infections, stunting, diarrhea and dermatitis. Doctors should use a combination of serum zinc levels, which presents signs and symptoms, and intake of nutrition via oral, enteral, and parenteral routes, to precisely evaluate the deficiency risk and diagnosis.

Source: Willoughby JL, Bowen CN. Zinc deficiency and toxicity in pediatric practice. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2014;26(5):579-584. doi:10.1097/MOP.0000000000000132