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Serum Zinc Concentrations in Cystic Fibrosis Patients Aged Above 4 Years: A Cross-sectional Evaluation

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Abstract

Aim

Assess the risk of zinc (Zn) deficiency in the older cystic fibrosis (CF) population.

Method

Cross-sectional investigation of all CF patients above the age of 4 followed at the Ghent University center between 2002 and 2003. Data on age, weight, height z-score, pancreatic and pulmonary functions, chronic Pseudomonas infection, and CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations were collected. Serum Zn, vitamins (vit) A and E, retinol-binding protein (RBP), albumin, sedimentation rate, total IgG, and cholesterol were determined. Serum Zn was compared with a local healthy control group (Van Biervliet et al., Biol Trace Elem Res 94:33–40, 2003) and with literature data (Hotz C, et al. Am J Clin Nutr 78:756–764, 2003).

Results

101 patients (median age 16 years) were included. There was no difference in serum Zn concentration between CF patients and controls. In CF patients no difference in serum Zn concentration between pancreatic-sufficient or pancreatic-insufficient patients was seen. Serum Zn was not associated to nutritional status or height z-score. A significant association serum Zn to serum albumin (p < 0.0005) and to vit A (p < 0.01) was seen. No associations of serum Zn to serum vit E, RBP, cholesterol, or CFTR were present, but there is a significant association serum Zn to forced vital capacity (p < 0.01). Serum Zn was not associated to inflammatory parameters or chronic Pseudomonas infection.

Conclusion

Comparison of CF patients with local controls revealed no significant differences. However, because persisting steatorrhea increases Zn loss (Easley et al., J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 26:136–139, 1998) and 12.6% of our population has a serum Zn below the p value of 2.5 of the NHANES II study (Hotz C, et al. Am J Clin Nutr 78:756–764, 2003), there could remain an increased risk of Zn deficiency in some CF patients. Furthermore, the association with pulmonary function needs more investigation.

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Abbreviations

Zn:

Zinc

PERT:

pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy

CF:

cystic fibrosis

W/H %:

percentage of ideal weight for height

Vit:

vitamin

FEV1%:

forced expiratory volume in 1 s

FVC%:

forced vital capacity

CFTR:

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

Lz-score:

length z-score

RBP:

retinol-binding protein

PS:

pancreatic-sufficient

PI:

pancreatic-insufficient

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paediatric Department, Ghent University Hospital, UZ Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    S. Van Biervliet, S. Vande Velde & E. Robberecht

  2. AZ St. Jan Hospital, Bruges, Belgium

    J. P. Van Biervliet

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  1. S. Van Biervliet
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  2. J. P. Van Biervliet
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  3. S. Vande Velde
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  4. E. Robberecht
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Correspondence to S. Van Biervliet.

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Van Biervliet, S., Van Biervliet, J.P., Vande Velde, S. et al. Serum Zinc Concentrations in Cystic Fibrosis Patients Aged Above 4 Years: A Cross-sectional Evaluation. Biol Trace Elem Res 119, 19–26 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-007-0041-9

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