Serum zinc evolution in dysphagic patients that underwent endoscopic gastrostomy for long term enteral feeding.

Background And Objectives: Patients undergoing endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) present with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) but little is known about zinc status. Our aim was to evaluate serum zinc, its relationship with serum proteins and with the nature of the underlying disorder, during the first 3 months of PEG feeding.

Methods And Study Design: Prospective observational study during a 3-month period after gastrostomy.