Serum Zinc, Copper and Magnesium Levels in Children with Endemic Goiter in Malatya

Authors: Cengiz YAKINCI, Zehra KÜÇÜKBAY, Feyza Ayşenur PAÇ, Abdulkadir GÜL, Meltem TAYFUN

Abstract: Serum zinc, copper and magnesium levels were determined in 70 children (between 7-11 years of age) in Malatya, Turkey, with euthyroid endemic goiter. The results, obtained with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), were compared with those of 41 children without thyroid disease. Serum zinc and magnesium levels did not differ between the two groups (p>0.05). However, serum coper levels of children with euthyroid endemic goiter (mean vaule: 146.38±5.12 µg/dL) were found to be significantly higher than those of the control group (mean value: 107.58±1.62 µg/dL), (p<0.01).

Keywords: Zinc, Copper, Magnesium, Endemic goiter, Children