Effects of Zinc and Copper Content of Formulas on Growth and on the Concentration of Zinc and Copper in Serum and Hair

Serum zinc and copper concentrations in low birth weight infants during first three months of life: Correlation to birth weight and different feedings.

“…Although a negative balance of Cu was reported by several investigators in the premature and also in the full term breast fed infants (Cavell and Widdowson 1964 ;Dauncey et al 1977), serum Cu levels increased progressively after birth in all groups in the present study, similar to the full term infants (Henkin et al 1973;Higashi et al 1982;Matsuda et al 1984). However, the increment was more delayed as the birth weight was reduced.This might be related to the possibility that less mature infants have lower production of ceruloplasmin in the liver, and reduced Cu absorption from the intestine (Hillman 1981).…”

“…This fact may account for the present observation that the serum Zn level of breast fed infants was almost consistently higher than those of the other two different formula fed infants in Groups I and II, although the Zn contents of breast milk at 1 month are corresponding to those of Zn-supplemented formula. In full term infants, however, the serum Zn levels were similar regardless of such feedings (Higashi et al 1982;Matsuda et al 1984). We speculate that full term infants can tolerate, by some regulating mechanisms, a formula of low-Zn content (Matsuda et al 1984).…”

“…In full term infants, however, the serum Zn levels were similar regardless of such feedings (Higashi et al 1982;Matsuda et al 1984). We speculate that full term infants can tolerate, by some regulating mechanisms, a formula of low-Zn content (Matsuda et al 1984). Therefore, the present observation indicates that preterm infants, especially with very low birth weight, may have several disadvantages for keeping Zn status within normal limits due to less accumulated amounts of Zn during the shortened gestation period, poor availability of dietary Zn or delayed maturation of Zn homeostasis.…”

“…In our early study (Matsuda et al 1984), it was found that serum and hair contents of Zn and Cu were not significantly different among the full term infants receiving three different diets : breast milk, Zn-and Cu-supplemented formulas with the recommended levels, or commercially available low-Zn and low-Cu formula.…”

Systematic Review of Zinc Fortification Trials

“…Our search strategy, including manual search, identified eleven studies, seven of which were on infants [17,18,19,20,21,22,23] where infant formula feeds or milk were fortified, three were on school children where porridge or bread was fortified [24,25,26], while one study was on women of reproductive age [27]. Nine of the studies were randomized controlled trials while two [20,26] were quasi-experimental designs.…”