Zinc Deficiency: A Cause of Growth Retardation?

Abstract

Zinc is distributed in mammalian tissues and is found in various fractions in the blood. Serum and blood ceU concentrations are increased or decreased in various pathologic conditions.

The author reviews studies conducted recently in the Near East which strongly suggest that zinc deficiency causes dwarfism and hypogonadism in man. The possibility that in Western countries cases of milder growth retardation also may be due to zinc deficiency deserves careful consideration.