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Background and Aim: Trace elements have been considered to play critical roles in bone metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine serum zinc profile and its association with bone mineral density (BMD) abnormalities in thalassemic patients. Materials and Methods: Serum zinc levels of 131 transfusion-dependent β-thalassemic patients, between 10-20 years of age, were measured by flame-atomic absorption spectrophotometry (F-AAS). BMD values at lumbar (L1-L4) and femoral neck were determined by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Daily dietary zinc and calcium intake were evaluated by food frequency questionnaires. Patients’ history of treatment and demographic data were obtained. Results: Low serum zinc was present in 84.8% of the patients and severely low levels detected in 44.7%. In 68.7% and 17.6% of the patients BMD z-scores less than (-2) were observed at lumbar and femoral regions. Female patients with severe zinc deficiency had lower lumbar BMD z-scores (-3.26) in comparison to other females (-2.54). Serum zinc levels of female patients with femoral BMD z-scores less than (-2), were significantly lower than those of other females. Conclusion: Considering low serum zinc level and decreased daily zinc intake, proper nutrition of thalassemic patients showld be regarded important

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  ABSTRACT

  Background and Aim: Zinc is essential for human health and its deficiency can lead to various biochemical disorders. The aim of this study was to determine serum zinc concentration in the middle school students of Sanandaj in 2006 and its relation with gender, body mass index (BMI) and educational status.

  Material and Methods: In this cross sectional study 301 students in the middle schools of Sanandaj were selected randomly. BMI was calculated and educational status was obtained from school educational records. Serum zinc concentration was measured by use of flame-atomic absorption spectrometry. Collected data was analyzed by means of T-test, analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation coefficient statistical techniques.

  Results: Regardless of gender, the mean concentration of zinc in serum was 90.1 ±19.1 μg/dl. The mean concentration of serum zinc levels in boys (93.6 ±22.6 μg/d) was significantly higher (87.4 ±15.4 μg/dl) than that of girls (p<0.05). In 31.2% of the students serum zinc concentration was lower than normal value. No correlation was found between serum zinc concentration, BMI and educational status of the students.

  Conclusion: More than thirty percent of middle school students in Sanandaj suffer from severe or mild zinc deficiency. Considering the importance of zinc in human health, further studies are needed to determine the prevalence of zinc deficiency in Sanandaj in order to plan for future interventions.