Serum level of Zn, Cu and Fe in healthy schoolchildren residing in Mérida, Venezuela.

Levels of Zn, Cu and Fe were measured in blood serum samples of 320 children: 160 boys and 160 girls randomly selected, ages between 7 and 14 years, all considered healthy and residing in the City of Merida, Venezuela. The metals were determined using flow injection analysis-flame atomic absorption spectrometry. There was a tendency for serum Zn (SZn) to increase with age. There was no significant difference in SZn levels between males and females in the different age groups. Serum copper (SCu) decreases significantly (p < 0.05) with age in male children, whereas it increases in female children. The concentration of serum iron (SFe) tends to be lower than that reported in the literature. However, the age groups studied showed no statistically significant sex and age-related differences. The results are compared with values previously reported for healthy children studied in other communities. The present study has shown that there is a complex interaction between SZn, SCu, SFe and age and sex of the children. On the other hand, our observations also suggest that more detailed studies of these metals should be done, and that the study should include metabolic balances and associations between SZn, SCu, SFe and anthropometric variables (height, weight, body mass index and skinfold thickness).