Dwarfism zinc deficiency

Dwarfism -roleofhGH [HORMONES - HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE] (Vol 13) -torn zinc deficiency [MINERAL NUTRIENTS] (Vol 16)... 

Zinc Deficiency. A nutritional problem associated with consumption of large amounts of whole wheat products is the unavailability of dietary zinc, first observed in a patient with immature development and dwarfism in southern Iran (17). The patient showed marked improvement when placed on a well-balanced, nutritious diet for a year. In 1962, similar patients were observed in Egyptian villages. A deficiency of zinc was identified as the primary reason for the development of this condition. This deficiency of zinc results from the binding of that metal by the phytates present in whole wheat (18). Even when an excess of zinc is present in the diet, if conditions are right, that zinc may be complexed with the phytate and thus rendered unavailable to the body (see Mineral nutrients). Thus, a zinc deficiency may develop when its dietary level appears adequate but the diet contains large amounts of a food, such as whole wheat, that is high in phytates. 

The techniques used to obtain these data and to define the extended model of zinc metabolism are Important to define changes In zinc metabolism In both normal and pathological states and are particularly useful as an aid In definition of zinc deficiency. Human zinc deficiency has been difficult to Identify because Its symptoms are complex and variable (, 8-11) ranging from Impairments of taste and smell to skin rash and dwarfism. There Is presently no adequate clinical test for the diagnosis of zinc deficiency In humans, which further complicates Its Identification. Zinc content In serum, plasma, red blood cells,urine, saliva or hair have proven Inadequate for specific diagnosis of Individual cases of zinc deflclency(6,8-12). 

The development in subjects receiving the diet alone was slow, and the effect on height increment and onset of sexual function was strikingly enhanced in those receiving zinc. The zinc-supplemented boys gained considerably more height than those receiving ample protein diet alone. The zinc-supplemented subjects showed evidence of early onset of sexual function, as defined by nocturnal emission in males and menarche in females. The two women described in this report were from hospital clinic and represented the first cases of dwarfism in females because of zinc deficiency (20). 

In the 1930s, zinc was discovered to be a dietary essential in animals. Zinc deficiency was recognized as a potential pub-Uc health problem in the 1960s in Iran, where endemic hypogonadism (delayed sexual development) and dwarfism... 

In hypogonadal dwarfism, reported by Prasad et al. [47], adolescents in Iran and Egypt became zinc-deficient in consequence of high phytate content in the diet making zinc unavailable for absorption. This disease results in dwarfism, retarded sexual maturation, iron deficiency anemia, and hepatosplenomegaly. 

Relationship between zinc deficiency and hypogonadal dwarfism noted in Egypt 1972 The role of zinc deficiency in hypogonadal dwarfism described in Iran... 

Zinc was confirmed as essential for humans in 1936 and deficiency symptoms were reported in l%l. The size of ihe human fetus is correlated with zinc concentration in the amnintic fluid and habitual low zinc intake in the pregnant female is thought to he related (o several congenital anomalies in humans. Low zinc intakes result in hypogonadism, dwarfism. mental retardation, low serum and red blood cell zinc in humans and animals, and retarded growth and teratogenic effects on the nervous system in rats. 

Zinc and Iron Deficiencies in Male Subjects with Dwarfism and Hypogonadism but Without Ancyclostomiasis, Schistosomiasis or Severe Anemia, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. (1963) 12, 437. 

Prasad AS, Miale AJ, Farid Z, Sandstead HH and Schulert AR (1963) Zinc metabolism in patients with the syndrome of iron deficiency anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, dwarfism and hypogonadism. J Lab Clin Med 61 537-549. 

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