A study of serum zinc, copper and thyroid hormones in children with chronic renal failure

الملخص EN

The study included 21 patients (13 males and 8 females, aged from 9-17ys) with chronic renal failure (CRF) on regular hemodialysis.

In addition, 10 apparently healthy age-matched children were included as a control group.

Serum levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and creatinine were measured in all studied cases and controls.

Serum levels of Zn and Cu were significantly lower among the studied cases (96.76±41.4pg/dl and 82.33±16-4pg/dl, respectively), compared with the controls (134.4±43fig/dl and jqq 2±14.4fig/dlrespectively), p<0.05 andp<0.01 respectively.

As regards the studied thyroid hormones and TSH, the studied cases showed significantly lower serum T3 level (61.85 ± 9.7ng/dl) compared with the control group (85.80 ± 4.26ng/dl), p< 0.001.

While no significant statistical differences were found between the studied cases and controls regarding T4 and TSH serum levels.

On the other hand, the mean value of T3/T4 ratio was significantly lower among studied patients (12.91±1.87) in comparison with the controls (16.23±2.63), p<0.001.

Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found between 7} and T4 (r=0.645, p<0.0l).

Serum Zn exhibited also positive significant correlation with T3 and T4 (r=0.506 and r=0.514 respectively), p<0.05 for each.

However, no significant correlation was detected between serum Cu levels and thyroid hormones In conclusion, patients with CRF had low levels of serum Zn and Cu.

They may have a state of subclinical hypothyroidism.

The significant decrease in the mean value of serum T3 level, the insignificant decrease in the mean value of serum T4 level, the significant low T/T4 ratio as well as the significant positive correlation between serum Zn and T3 may reflect impaired peripheral conversion ofT4 to T3 due to Zn deficiency.