Serum Content of Zinc and Vitamin C in Severely Handicapped Children

Abstract

As fracture is known to occur more easily in severely handicapped children (SHC), bone mineral content, serum zinc level and serum vitamin C level were determined in 65 SHC. These parameters were found to be greatly reduced in all patients. The decreases in zinc and vitamin C in the serum appeared to be associated with that in bone mineral content. Supplements of zinc and vitamin C may be important to decrease the chance of fracture due to diminished bone mineral content in SHC. © 1989, Tohoku University Medical Press. All rights reserved.