Minerals
Zinc Deficiency
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Zinc Deficiency
Epidemiology
Associated with 1.8 million deaths per year in malnourished persons worldwide
Zinc Deficiency is estimated to affect 30% of the world population
See Also
Zinc
Symptoms
Erectile Dysfunction
Diarrhea
Alopecia
Glossitis
Nail Dystrophy
Signs
Growth retardation (especially head growth)
Delayed Puberty
Hypogonadism
Associated Conditions
Autusm
Attention Deficit Disorder
Causes
Acrodermatitis enteropathica (zinc malabsorption syndrome)
Malnutrition
Developing countries
Alcoholism
Celiac Sprue
Cirrhosis
Crohn Disease
Gastric Bypass
Prolonged intravenous feeding
Short bowel syndrome
Vegan diet
Pregnancy and
Lactation
Sickle Cell Disease
Critically ill children (associated with organ failure)
Labs
Serum zinc levels are not a reliable measure of zinc stores
Diagnosis
Zinc Deficiency is a clinical diagnosis rather than a lab diagnosis
Base diagnosis on symptoms, signs, risk factors and overall
Malnutrition
Management
See
Zinc
for RDA levels
Mild Zinc Deficiency
Zinc
at 2-3 times the RDA for 6 months
Severe Zinc Deficiency
Zinc
at 4-5 times the RDA for 6 months
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