Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Zagazig University, Zagazig,
Egypt | Department of Biochemistry, Zagazig University,
Zagazig, Egypt
Note: [] Correspondence: Doaa Mohammed Youssef, %Consultant of Pediatric
Nephrology, %Lecturer of pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Zagazig
University, Zagazig, Egypt. Tel.: +20 122839220; Fax: +20 122839221; E-mail:
dody5176@yahoo.com
Abstract: Trace elements may be modified by dialysis procedures. To prevent
complications in chronic hemodialysis patients, it is important to understand
and regulate the levels of trace elements. The aim of this work is to evaluate
the serum zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels in children with chronic kidney
disease. This case control study has 3 groups: 20 children with chronic kidney
disease (CKD) stage 5 on regular hemodialysis as group A, 20 children with CKD
stage 3 and 4 on conservative treatment as group B children, and 10 healthy
children as control group C. Measurements of serum copper and zinc were
performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. We found that serum Zn was
(74.4 ± 12.6 μg/dL) in group A, (76.7 ± 13.5 μg/dL) in
group B with no significant difference between both groups (p> 0.05) but
they are both significantly lower than group C in which serum Zn was (97.7
± 14.3 μg/dL) (p< 0.05). As regard Cu level it was (89.3 ±
15.1 μg/dL) in group A, (95.6 ± 16.2 μg/dL) in group B, while it
was (116.6 ± 13.6 μg/dL) in group C which is significantly higher
than in children with CKD (p< 0.05). In studying the correlation between Zn,
Cu with other parameters either (demographic or laboratory) in our patients we
found a significant negative correlation with urea, creatinine and a positive
correlation with serum iron level. Serum Zn and Cu levels are significantly
decreased in patients with CKD when compared with healthy children. Hence we
recommend supplementation of Zn and Cu for patients on regular hemodialysis
specially those with iron deficiency.
Keywords: Zinc, copper, chronic kidney disease, hemodialysis, children
