Copper deficiency impairs growth of infants recovering from malnutrition.

To evaluate the effect of copper deficiency on growth in humans we performed a prospective case-control study in 11 infants identified as Cu deficient based on low plasma Cu (less than 70 micrograms/dL [11.0 mumol/L]) and low ceruloplasmin (less than 200 mg/L). Growth was evaluated with anthropometric indices 1 mo before and 1 mo after onset of Cu supplementation of 80 micrograms.kg-1.d-1. Plasma Cu and ceruloplasmin rose significantly after 1 mo of supplementation. Weight-for-age and weight-for-length indices increased significantly after supplementation only in the Cu-deficient group. Daily energy intake was significantly higher in the Cu-deficient group after supplementation than it was in the control group. Daily weight gain after supplementation increased significantly in the Cu-deficient group and the value for daily weight gain after supplementation was significantly higher than that of the control group for the equivalent amount of time. Cu supplementation improves the growth of Cu-deficient infants recovering from malnutrition.