We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 2 Calcium, iron, phosphorus, sulfur, magnesium, and potassium are needed in required quantities for different functions. It is important for the normal functioning of the brain as well. So if you are trying to reverse zinc deficiency in adults or children, you need to consult with a healthcare professional to avoid consuming too much zinc in the process. The evidence linking zinc deficiency to children's cognitive and motor functioning suggests a relationship among the most vulnerable children but lacks a clear consensus, highlighting the need for additional research into the timing of zinc deficiency and the co-occurrence with other micronutrient deficiencies. 215 In humans zinc deficiency augments the risk for the development of symptomatic disease in carriers of pneumococcus. Although, many factors contribute to the development of zinc deficiency, inadequate dietary intake of absorbable zinc is the most common cause. Rough skin. However, most people … Zinc deficiency may cause loss of appetite. We offer the latest information for being the best, most healthy “you” you can be, covering areas ranging from nutrition and exercise to sleep and stress management. Persistent Diarrhea. Zinc deficiency can have a number of negative health consequences, affecting the central nervous, gastrointestinal, immune, epidermal, reproductive, and skeletal systems. Environmental enteropathy, which is prevalent in low-resource settings, may substantially impair zinc absorption and/or increase endogenous losses, and thus lead to relatively high zinc requirements. references NCBI: "Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations, 3rd Edition"  |  Its deficiency in children can cause brain disorders, and can lead to mild or severe retardation, dyslexia, and other problems associated with mental development. Food Based Complementary Feeding Strategies for Breastfed Infants: What's the Evidence that it Matters? Zinc intake is closely related to protein intake; as a result, zinc deficiency is an important component of nutritionally related morbidity worldwide. ">Probiotics: Dynamic Immunity Protection, A Whole30 Calendar That Will Simplify Meal Planning, Easy Whole30 Dinners for the Busy Lifestyle. The aim of this review is to focus on the cutaneous manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of zinc deficiency in children, and to propose an etiologic classification system. Zinc deficiency can be treated … The nutrient helps the body make proteins and DNA, and also helps the immune system fight off bacteria and viruses. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Owing to low zinc intakes, older breastfed infants, especially those of low birthweight, are predictably at risk of zinc deficiency if complementary food choices are unfortified and/or low in zinc. Zinc deficiency can be prevalent in men, women and children (as opposed to anemia, which is much more common in women). Zinc deficiency in children can cause delayed growth and has been claimed to be the cause of stunted growth in one third of the world's population. Normal doses of zinc are generally well tolerated but overdose may cause toxicity. As such, it is an essential mineral for pregnant women as well as growing children. Loss Of Appetite. 1. Along with these macro minerals, zinc is probably the most vital mineral needed by the body. Adv Exp Med Biol. Zinc deficiency was, for example, reported to affect the immune response and the endocrine system and to induce and modify brain disorders. Effective preventive strategies must address potentially higher zinc requirements as well as the underlying context that perpetuates a vicious cycle of zinc deficiency and multiple adverse outcomes. The mean serum zinc level was 79 ± 12 (49–108) μg/dL. Zinc deficiency was, for example, reported to affect the immune response and the endocrine system and to induce and modify brain disorders. Fatigue. Oral zinc can cause: 1. Predisposition to infections 6. Abstract. Acute zinc overdose may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, lethargy, lightheadedness, and gait disturbance, Chronic zinc overdose may lead to neutropenia, leucopenia, copper and iron deficiency, anaemia, growth retardation and lipid abnormalities. Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! 2. Children need to get enough zinc to grow and develop properly. 2013;62 Suppl 1:19-29. doi: 10.1159/000348261.