Serum Zinc and Copper Levels in Healthy Japanese Children

Serum zinc and copper concentrations of 156 healthy children (6-12 years old) were measured by the atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. The average serum zinc concentration was 92±13 üg/100ml (mean±s.D.) with a range of 62-127 üg/100 ml. No statistically significant age or sex differences were found in serum zinc levels. The mean serum copper level was 109±17 üg/100ml with a range of 70-164 üg/100ml. Average serum copper concentration in younger age groups (6-9 years old) was higher than that in older age groups (10-12 years old). The highest value of mean serum copper level was observed in the group of 8-year-old children. No sex differences in serum copper levels were found in all the age groups.