What are the symptoms of zinc deficiency in children?

Update Date: 2024-10-11 Source: Network

Symptoms of zinc deficiency in children are diverse and may adversely affect their growth and development, immune function, appetite, and behavior. Possible symptoms include growth retardation, decreased appetite and anorexia, reduced immune function, skin and mucosal issues, neuropsychiatric symptoms, etc. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Growth Retardation

Zinc is a crucial element for children's growth and development. Zinc deficiency directly affects protein synthesis and cell division, leading to growth retardation. This manifests as slow growth in height and weight, even falling below standard levels for children of the same age.

2. Decreased Appetite and Anorexia

Zinc plays a role in maintaining taste perception. Zinc deficiency may lead to decreased taste bud function, resulting in reduced appetite, picky eating, partiality to certain foods, and even anorexia. In severe cases, pica (the eating of non-food items such as dirt or wall paint) may occur.

3. Reduced Immune Function

Zinc is vital for maintaining human immunity. Zinc deficiency weakens children's immune systems, making them prone to recurrent infections and increasing the incidence of upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, diarrhea, and other illnesses.

4. Skin and Mucosal Issues

Zinc deficiency can cause skin and mucosal problems such as dry skin, rashes, bullous dermatitis, recurrent oral ulcers, and in severe cases, sparse, yellow, brittle, and falling hair.

5. Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

Children with zinc deficiency may exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, drowsiness, inattention, poor memory, slow reaction time, hyperactivity, and cognitive impairment. These symptoms may be related to zinc's impact on nervous system development.

Upon noticing these symptoms, parents should promptly take their children to a hospital for examination to confirm zinc deficiency and implement appropriate treatment measures. Additionally, by合理安排 children's diets and increasing the intake of zinc-rich foods, zinc deficiency can be effectively prevented.