Deficiency of Zinc in Body

Every element is equally essential for the normal growth, development and sustenance of the human body. Zinc is one such element.

Zinc deficiency may be acquired genetically and is seen in people with high milk consumption or in people living in low socio-economic conditions. The condition may occur in both males and females and in any age group.

Symptoms

The deficiency of zinc in the body causes a syndrome of growth failure, anaemia, hepatomegaly, immune dysfunction, hypogonadism and skin changes related to it. The symptoms are however related to the extent of deficiency.

Mild deficiency of zinc leads to symptoms including hypogeusia (decreased sense of taste), decreased dark adaptation or night blindness and decrease in the lean body mass.

Moderate deficiency of zinc shows extra symptoms of diarrhoea and growth retardation. In moderate deficiencies, hypogonadism is seen usually in males, with features such as mental lethargy, rough skin, delayed wound healing, glucose intolerance and impaired cell mediated immunity.

Severe deficiency shows extra symptoms from moderate deficiency including dermatitis, weight loss, dwarfism, emotional instability, tremors, alopecia and even death.

Causes

Zinc deficiency may be due to increased requirements in conditions such as pregnancy, lactation, growth period in childhood, burns and major trauma. Other cause may be increased loss of zinc in conditions like diabetes, cirrhosis, renal diseases, sickle cell anaemia and inflammatory bowel syndrome.

There may be decreased absorption of zinc in conditions like acrodermatitis enteropathica, in which there is deficiency of the enzyme required for intestinal absorption. Sometimes, there may be insufficient dietary intake, due to vegetarianism or breast-feeding or some other condition.

Diagnosis

During lab investigation, plasma zinc levels are decreased.

Treatment

The diet should be a normal balanced diet. Avoid excessive intake of foods with high phytate content such as cereals.

Oral doses of zinc supplements are to be prescribed by the physician with proper clinical monitoring of the patients for outlook improvement, weight gain and resolution of the symptoms.

Prognosis

There is immediate improvement in the clinical status with full resolution of the signs and symptoms.