Changes of zinc values in children during malignant disease

In 47 children with malignancy, zinc status, growth, and performance during standard treatment were compared with those in controls. At diagnosis, growth was retarded and hair zinc values were high, 2.4±0.7 μmol/g, as in chronic deficiency. During induction therapy, serum declined to 10.4±2.3 μmol/L and urinary excretion increased to 5.3±2.8 μmol/mol creatinine, as in acute exacerbation of deficiency. Control CSF values in children in remission, 0.04±0.01 μmol/L, were lower than reference values in adults. No difference in mean CSF zinc was observed during therapy, or in those with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (1) at high risk, (2) with central nervous system involvement, (3) with low performance, or (4) resistant to therapy. In six children unexplained values, up to 0.28 μmol/L during induction, were measured. No correlations between the various zinc parameters were found.