ZINC AND COPPER NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF MENTALLY RETARDED SUBJECTS

Both the zinc and copper status of institutionalized subjects were evaluated. The objective of the first study was to compare the zinc and copper nutriture of institutionalized and non-institutionalized mentally retarded adults. Five severely retarded adults (TG) were selected from the residents of an institution to move to a group home; 5 matching subjects who remained in the institution comprised the control group (CG). Normal adults served as an additional control group (NG) in regard to measurements of trace element nutritional status. Food, blood, and hair samples were collected from the retarded subjects before and after the change in residence of the TG.; Initially, the mentally retarded subjects had low mean levels of plasma and hair zinc compared with the NG. Four months after their move, the TG showed a significant rise in mean plasma zinc level, accompanied by an increased mean concentration of hair zinc. There were no significant changes in the zinc status of the CG. The TG calcium intake and the dietary phytate to zinc molar ratio were significantly decreased after their move to the group home. Phytate is a mineral chelator. Thus, the change in diet composition rather than zinc intake per se may have affected the zinc status of the TG group subjects.; The aim of the second study was to assess bone mineral status, nutrient intake and nutritional status of 13 institutionalized children at increased risk for developing anticonvulsant osteomalacia. Anthropometric and bone density determinations were performed. The nutrient composition of the diet was calculated; blood and urine samples were analyzed.; Ninety-one percent of the subjects had significant osteopenia. While the mean dietary copper intake of the children was low (0.85 (+OR-) 0.3 mg/day) their mean plasma copper level (153 (+OR-) 22 (mu)g/dl) was high relative to children's norms (80-100 (mu)g/dl). Furthermore, there was an inverse relationship between plasma copper and bone mineral content. All subjects had normal plasma zinc levels, although the mean zinc intake was 7.4 (+OR-) 2.2 mg/day. Further investigation of copper and zinc homeostasis in subjects on anticonvulsant therapy is warranted.