Human Zinc Deficiency, Endocrine Manifestations and Response to Treatment

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
1) Zinc deficiency in the human may result in growth retardation and hypogonadism. The patients resemble those with idiopathic hypopituitarism. 2) Treatment with zinc is followed by increased growth and sexual maturation which exceeds the changes resulting from an adequate diet or iron therapy. 3) It appears that zinc is a limiting essential nutrient in this syndrome and may, therefore, be one of the etiobogic factors which contributes to the retarded growth and sexual maturation seen in children from the tropics and subtropics. 4) Iron deficiency frequently is also present in these patients but does not appear to be an essential factor in the pathogenesis of the illness.