Serum Zinc Concentrations and Dietary Zinc Adequacy in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Conditions: An Exploratory Secondary Analysis
6 affiliations
- 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, Avenida Ramón y Cajal, 7, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
- 2International Cooperation for Health and Social Development (CIDESS) Group, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Calle Juan de Quesada, 30, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- 3Valladolid Health Research Institute (IBioVALL), C. Rondilla Sta. Teresa, 47010 Valladolid, Spain
- 4Section of Gastroenterology and Pediatric Nutrition, University Clinical Hospital of Valladolid, Avenida Ramón y Cajal, 3, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
- 5Science Faculty, University of Cadiz, Paseo de Carlos III, 28, 11003 Cadiz, Spain
- 6Department of Chemistry, Science Faculty, University of Burgos, Plaza Misael Bañuelos SN, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This secondary analysis evaluated the discordance between dietary adequacy and serum zinc levels in children and adolescents with chronic diseases, exploring the nutritional and biochemical traits of patients within an intermediate serum zinc range. Methods: Serum zinc was measured via atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and dietary tracking was conducted using a prospective 72 h food record. Subgroups were classified using Japanese Society of Clinical Nutrition thresholds (<60, 60–<80, and ≥80 μg/dL), treating the 60–<80 μg/dL band strictly as an operational, exploratory classification rather than a validated pediatric diagnostic standard. Results: Among the 90 participants, 31% fell into the 60–<80 μg/dL intermediate serum range and 61% exhibited inadequate dietary intake. Status discordance was frequent: 41% presented with inadequate dietary intake despite maintaining normal serum levels (≥80 μg/dL), whereas 11% had intermediate serum levels despite achieving adequate dietary intake. There was no significant association between serum zinc concentration and dietary zinc intake. Operationally classified intermediate-range participants demonstrated several nutritional and biochemical differences, notably showing higher intakes of vitamins B6, D, and E, elevated triglycerides, ESR, and IgG3, alongside lower hemoglobin. Conclusions: Dietary adequacy and serum zinc levels are frequently discordant, reinforcing that these metrics serve as complementary rather than interchangeable indicators of zinc status. The distinct profiles observed within the operational 60–<80 μg/dL category provide candidate relationships that warrant future targeted investigation.
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BibTeX
@article{escobedomonge2026serum,
title = {{Serum Zinc Concentrations and Dietary Zinc Adequacy in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Conditions: An Exploratory Secondary Analysis}},
author = {Marlene Fabiola Escobedo-Monge and José Manuel Marugán-Miguelsanz and Joaquín Parodi Román and María Antonieta Escobedo-Monge and M. Pilar Bahillo-Curieses},
journal = {Nutrients},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/nu18193245},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13667015},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Serum Zinc Concentrations and Dietary Zinc Adequacy in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Conditions: An Exploratory Secondary Analysis
AU - Marlene Fabiola Escobedo-Monge
AU - José Manuel Marugán-Miguelsanz
AU - Joaquín Parodi Román
AU - María Antonieta Escobedo-Monge
AU - M. Pilar Bahillo-Curieses
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Nutrients
DO - 10.3390/nu18193245
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13667015
AB - Background/Objectives: This secondary analysis evaluated the discordance between dietary adequacy and serum zinc levels in children and adolescents with chronic diseases, exploring the nutritional and biochemical traits of patients within an intermediate serum zinc range. Methods: Serum zinc was measured via atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and dietary tracking was conducted using a prospective 72 h food record. Subgroups were classified using Japanese Society of Clinical Nutrition thresholds (<60, 60–<80, and ≥80 μg/dL), treating the 60–<80 μg/dL band strictly as an operational, exploratory classification rather than a validated pediatric diagnostic standard. Results: Among the 90 participants, 31% fell into the 60–<80 μg/dL intermediate serum range and 61% exhibited inadequate dietary intake. Status discordance was frequent: 41% presented with inadequate dietary intake despite maintaining normal serum levels (≥80 μg/dL), whereas 11% had intermediate serum levels despite achieving adequate dietary intake. There was no significant association between serum zinc concentration and dietary zinc intake. Operationally classified intermediate-range participants demonstrated several nutritional and biochemical differences, notably showing higher intakes of vitamins B6, D, and E, elevated triglycerides, ESR, and IgG3, alongside lower hemoglobin. Conclusions: Dietary adequacy and serum zinc levels are frequently discordant, reinforcing that these metrics serve as complementary rather than interchangeable indicators of zinc status. The distinct profiles observed within the operational 60–<80 μg/dL category provide candidate relationships that warrant future targeted investigation.
SN - 2072-6643
ER -