Zinc in Hair and Urine of Pediatric Patients

The study measured zinc concentrations in the hair and urine of pediatric patients with conditions such as short stature, prolonged upper respiratory infection, non-infectious diarrhea, and those undergoing chemotherapy for acute lymphatic leukemia, compared to healthy controls. It found that hair zinc levels were significantly lower after respiratory infections and higher in children with short stature. Urinary zinc levels increased during initial chemotherapy and diarrhea. The study concluded that zinc deficiency was associated with upper respiratory tract infections in children. However, due to high overlap in zinc levels (34–88%), hair and urine zinc measurements were not reliable for individual diagnostic purposes.