Copper Deficiency and Other Micronutrient Deficiencies During Prolonged Jejunal Versus Gastric Enteral Nutrition in Children
- 1Pediatric Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron 119–129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Copper deficiency is described in adults on prolonged jejunal enteral nutrition, but paediatric evidence remains scarce. We compared the prevalence, timing and consequences of copper and other micronutrient deficiencies in children on prolonged jejunal versus gastric enteral nutrition. Methods: Ambispective observational cohort study at a tertiary paediatric centre. Children aged 0–18 years receiving at least 80% of their nutritional requirements through an enteral device for more than three months were studied; pre-existing malabsorption was an exclusion criterion. Groups were defined by feeding route (jejunal or gastric). Serum copper, zinc, iron and selenium were assessed longitudinally, with concurrent C-reactive protein < 2 mg/dL. Results: Forty-six patients were included (jejunal, 31; gastric, 15). Copper deficiency occurred in 9 of 31 jejunal patients (29.0%) and in no gastric patient (risk difference 29.0%, 95% CI 4.9–46.6%; p = 0.021). Iron deficiency was the commonest abnormality (71% versus 60%; p = 0.51). Six of the nine copper-deficient children developed anaemia or neutropenia; all normalised after oral copper sulfate given through the gastric route. Conclusions: In this single-centre cohort, prolonged jejunal feeding was associated with more frequent copper deficiency despite adequate intake; larger studies should confirm this. We suggest monitoring serum copper from three months after post-pyloric feeding starts.
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BibTeX
@article{rayamunoz2026copper,
title = {{Copper Deficiency and Other Micronutrient Deficiencies During Prolonged Jejunal Versus Gastric Enteral Nutrition in Children}},
author = {Judith Raya-Muñoz and Blanca Maria del Castillo Martinez and Marta Freixas Bermejo and Marina Álvarez-Beltrán and Vanessa Cabello-Ruiz and Susana Redecillas-Ferreiro and Oscar Segarra-Cantón},
journal = {Nutrients},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/nu18213460},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/21/3460},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Copper Deficiency and Other Micronutrient Deficiencies During Prolonged Jejunal Versus Gastric Enteral Nutrition in Children
AU - Judith Raya-Muñoz
AU - Blanca Maria del Castillo Martinez
AU - Marta Freixas Bermejo
AU - Marina Álvarez-Beltrán
AU - Vanessa Cabello-Ruiz
AU - Susana Redecillas-Ferreiro
AU - Oscar Segarra-Cantón
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/22
JO - Nutrients
DO - 10.3390/nu18213460
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/21/3460
AB - Background/Objectives: Copper deficiency is described in adults on prolonged jejunal enteral nutrition, but paediatric evidence remains scarce. We compared the prevalence, timing and consequences of copper and other micronutrient deficiencies in children on prolonged jejunal versus gastric enteral nutrition. Methods: Ambispective observational cohort study at a tertiary paediatric centre. Children aged 0–18 years receiving at least 80% of their nutritional requirements through an enteral device for more than three months were studied; pre-existing malabsorption was an exclusion criterion. Groups were defined by feeding route (jejunal or gastric). Serum copper, zinc, iron and selenium were assessed longitudinally, with concurrent C-reactive protein < 2 mg/dL. Results: Forty-six patients were included (jejunal, 31; gastric, 15). Copper deficiency occurred in 9 of 31 jejunal patients (29.0%) and in no gastric patient (risk difference 29.0%, 95% CI 4.9–46.6%; p = 0.021). Iron deficiency was the commonest abnormality (71% versus 60%; p = 0.51). Six of the nine copper-deficient children developed anaemia or neutropenia; all normalised after oral copper sulfate given through the gastric route. Conclusions: In this single-centre cohort, prolonged jejunal feeding was associated with more frequent copper deficiency despite adequate intake; larger studies should confirm this. We suggest monitoring serum copper from three months after post-pyloric feeding starts.
SN - 2072-6643
ER -