[Zinc in protein-calorie malnutrition. I. Concentration in serum of children with the clinical types, kwashiorkor and marasmic kwashiorkor].

Zinc concentration was measured in the serum of 10 children with protein-energy malnutrition (eight with clinical signs of kwashiorkor, and two with marasmic-kwashiorkor) on the first, 15th and 30th day after admission. The zinc levels were significantly lower for these patients on the first day than those observed for children with good nutritional status. No significant increase in zinc concentration occurred in the serum of these patients during initial period of recovery of nutritional status. The possibility of zinc supplementation for malnourished children during recovery is discussed.