‘’ZINC ‘’ The Friendly and Forgotten Micronutrient

Abstract

A syndrome called Zinc Deficiency Dwarfism was first described in a group of children in the Middle East with low level of zinc in their hair, poor appetite, diminished taste acuity, hypogonadism, and short stature [1]. In developing countries, zinc supplementation can reduce morbidity and mortality among children from diarrhea and pneumonia, and zinc can enhance growth [1]. Prevalence of zinc deficiency is highly noticed in populations with high rates of stunting. Other contributing factors that can lead to zinc deficiency include inadequate zinc intake in complementary feeding or general diet, sever infection, lack of zinc in total parenteral nutrition and in premature infants fed human milk without fortification [1].