Diet and Hair Manganese Levels in Preschool Children (Turkish with English Abstract)

Preschool children were surveyed for dietary intake and nutritional status with regard to manganese (Mn). Manganese concentrations in diet and hair were measured in 35 children, aged 2 to 6 years, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, using the wet-digestion method (Perkin Elmer Model 103 AAS was used for determination of dietary Mn and Perkin Elmer Model 2380 AAS was used for determination of hair Mn). Mean (± SD) daily dietary intake of Mn was 2.91±0.92 mg/day (1.57-5.46 mg/d). The mean hair Mn concentration was 0.76±0.41 ppm (0.26-1.70 ppm). Dietary concentrations of Mn, Mg, Fe and Cu were significantly correlated (rMn-mg= 0.727, rMn-Fe= 0.347, rMn-Cu= 0.458, , n= 35, p