Zinc deficiency in achondroplastic children and their parents

A study showing that zinc deficiency may be a contributing factor in human achondroplasia is reported. Achondroplastic children, unaffected parents of such children, and healthy adults of similar age and sex as the parents had zinc and copper concentrations in their hair assayed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A chart shows achondroplastic children and their parents had reduced zinc and increased copper values and reduced zinc : copper ratio in their hair, suggesting zinc deficiency contributes to this mutation