Serum zinc and copper concentrations in low birth weight infants during first three months of life: correlation to birth weight and different feedings.

Serum zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentrations were measured in infants weighing 740 g to 2,500 g at birth. They were divided into three groups depending on their birth weight; Group I ranged from 740 to 1,500 g (N = 35), Group II from 1,501 to 2,000 g (N = 26), and Group III from 2,001 to 2,500 g (N = 19). They were fed breast milk (N = 24), commercially available non-supplemented formula with low Zn and low Cu content (N = 42), or Zn- and Cu-supplemented formula (N = 14).