Oral copper supplementation: effect on copper and zinc balance during acute gastroenteritis in infants.

To evaluate the effect of copper supplementation during recovery from acute diarrhea, we randomly assigned 14 hospitalized infants to receive either 80 micrograms copper sulfate.kg body wt-1.d-1 or a placebo. Metabolic balance and plasma copper and zinc concentrations were measured before randomization (period 1) and 6 d after admission (period 2). Fifteen control subjects were studied after respiratory illness. Fecal copper was not affected by supplementation; fecal zinc during period 2 rose significantly only in the copper-supplemented group. Copper retention was significantly higher in the supplemented infants; plasma concentrations increased for period 2 but were similar to those in the placebo group. Zinc concentrations improved over time in both groups but zinc retention was higher in the placebo group for period 2. A significant interference by copper supplementation on zinc absorption was noted. Copper supplementation during the early phase of recovery from diarrhea is not recommended.