The content of trace elements (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg) in fingernails of children.

The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe and Mg in fingernails of 212 normal children, 109 males and 103 females, 6--11 years old, were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. A wide scatter of results in all trace element determinations in fingernails was found. Nevertheless, it was noted that the petrographical composition of the region influences the trace element concentration in fingernails. An age variation was observed for Cu and Fe. Nail concentrations of the same trace elements were significantly higher in male than in female children.