Kinetics of zinc status in children with IDDM.

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain zinc deficiency in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and evaluate the relationship between zinc clearance and body height velocity.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND

METHODS

Six boys and 11 girls with IDDM and zincuria and glycosuria were studied. Study quality and specific descriptive information concerning relationship and outcome measurement were assessed.

RESULTS

The values of total-body zinc clearance in IDDM patients were higher than in the control subjects (24.6 +/- 1.8 vs. 15.1 +/- 0.6 ml.kg-1.h-1, P less than 0.01). There was a negative correlation between body zinc clearance values and height velocity in IDDM patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IDDM have a secondary zinc deficiency, and normal growth may be stunted.