[Zinc plasma levels in a low socioeconomic status population of children in Maracaibo, Venezuela].

The objective of the present work was to determine plasma zinc concentration in a children's population belonging to low income families in Maracaibo, Venezuela. One hundred fifty-nine children (M:75;F:84) aged 3 months to 8 years were studied by clinic, anthropometric and socio-economical parameters. Fasting peripheral venipuncture blood samples were obtained and analyzed for plasma zinc using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Plasma zinc levels were low (< 75 micrograms/dl) in 38.36% of the children studied. In turn, 33.89% of the eutrophic group, and 41% of the malnourished group were zinc deficient. By analyzing separately the group of children in which plasma zinc levels ranged between 75-80 micrograms/dl (critical zone), it could be seen that 18.65% of eutrophic and 10% of malnourished children belonged to this group. Thus, over 50% of the total children's population studied had critical or deficient plasma zinc levels. Therefore, functional studies on nutritional status of zinc are recommended to the Venezuelan children population; in case of being evidently deficitary, it is necessary to establish immediate zinc supplementation nutritional programs; especially for children coming from low income families.