Hypozincaemia after Jejuno-Ileal Bypass

Abstract

Serum zinc, albumin, α₂, -macroglobulin, calcium, and magnesium were measured in 39 jejuno-ileal shunt-operated patients. The binding of serum zinc to albumin and α₂-macroglobulin were calculated. The results demonstrate that the patients as a group had a highly significant hypozincaemia (P < 0.001), caused by a reduction of the albumin-bound serum zinc (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the patients showed hypocalcaemia (P < 0.001) and hypomagnesaemia (P < 0.001). The findings indicate that patients with jejuno-ileal bypass for gross obesity develop deficiency of the divalent cations.

Key-words:

• Hypocalcaemia
• hypomagnesaemia
• hypozincaemia
• jejuno-ileal bypass operation
• obese patients