Zinc and copper in plasma and erythrocytes of Down's syndrome children.

The concentration of zinc and copper in the plasma and the erythrocytes of 24 children with Down's syndrome was measured and compared with the values in a control group of normal children. Zinc and copper were determined in this biologic material by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A significant (p less than 0.001) decrease of the plasma zinc content well as an increase of copper (p less than 0.024) and zinc (p less than 0.001) in the erythrocytes of Down's syndrome patients were found. The possible mechanisms of these changes are discussed.