Zinc deficiency in the body reduces the number of brain cells, particularly affecting brain development from fetal stages through age three. Nutritional studies indicate that zinc deficiency is a significant contributing factor in congenital mental retardation, even after excluding genetic factors. Zinc deficiency also weakens immune function, leading to frequent illnesses, as zinc significantly impacts the bactericidal capacity of phagocytes.Research indicates that among children with recurrent respiratory infections, the proportion of zinc-deficient infants is significantly higher than in healthy children. Clinically, it has been observed that zinc deficiency slows wound healing in injured children. So, why supplement zinc for children?
These groups of children require special attention for zinc supplementation:
1.Children whose mothers had insufficient zinc intake during pregnancy: A pregnant woman's blood zinc level should be maintained around 89.4 mg/dL. If the mother's daily meals lack zinc-rich foods, it inevitably affects the fetus's ability to utilize zinc, causing the body's stored zinc reserves to be depleted prematurely. Such children are prone to zinc deficiency symptoms after birth.
2.Premature infants: Babies born before completing the optimal gestation period miss the critical window for zinc accumulation in the womb—typically the final month of pregnancy—resulting in congenital deficiency. 3. Children with rickets: These children take calcium supplements for treatment, but elevated calcium levels inhibit intestinal zinc absorption.Additionally, such children often have poorer appetites, reducing dietary zinc intake and increasing susceptibility to deficiency. 4. Children in specific circumstances: Low zinc content in soil can lead to zinc-deficient local agricultural products. Poor digestive absorption function, certain diseases, or medications like tetracycline can form insoluble complexes with zinc, hindering absorption.
5. Non-breastfed children: Breast milk contains significantly more zinc than regular cow's milk. More importantly, its absorption rate reaches 42%, surpassing any non-breast milk food.
6. Children with extreme picky eating habits:Some vegetarians refuse to consume any meat, eggs, dairy, or their products from childhood, making them highly susceptible to zinc deficiency. Therefore, it is crucial to cultivate good eating habits early on, avoiding picky eating and food aversions. 7. Overly active children: Many children, especially boys, are excessively active and frequently sweat profusely. Sweat is one of the pathways through which the body excretes zinc.Studies indicate that heavy sweating can result in a daily zinc loss of 1.3 milligrams.
Children's nutrition is crucial for their healthy development, making balanced nutrition essential. Zinc deficiency can impact brain development in children, so appropriate zinc supplementation is recommended.