Longitudinal measurements of zinc absorption in Peruvian children consuming wheat products fortified with iron only or iron and 1 of 2 amounts of zinc.

Background: Information is needed on the fractional absorption of zinc (FAZ) and absorbed zinc (AZ) during prolonged exposure to zinc-fortified foods.

Objective: The objective was to measure FAZ and AZ from diets fortified with different amounts of zinc and to determine whether zinc absorption changes over approximately 7 wk.

Design: Forty-one stunted, moderately anemic children received daily, at breakfast and lunch, 100 g wheat products fortified with 3 mg Fe (ferrous sulfate) and 0 (group Zn-0), 3 (group Zn-3), or 9 (group Zn-9) mg Zn (zinc sulfate) per 100 g flour.

Population-based plasma kinetics of an oral dose of [2H4]retinyl acetate among preschool-aged, Peruvian children.

Background: The deuterated-retinol-dilution technique provides a quantitative estimate of total-body vitamin A (TBVA) stores in adults. To apply the technique to children, information on plasma retinol kinetics in this age group is needed.

Objectives: We described the plasma retinol kinetics of an oral dose of [(2)H(4)]retinyl acetate in a population of Peruvian children (12-24 mo of age) in order to examine the relation between TBVA stores and individual plasma isotopic ratios 3 d after the dose and to estimate 1) the time required for the isotope dose to mix with endogenous vitamin A, 2) the fractional catabolic rate for retinol, and 3) TBVA stores.