Serum Zinc and Copper levels in nephrotic syndrome patients

Abstract

Objective: To determine the serum zinc and copper levels in patients of nephrotic syndrome and healthy subjects.
Methodology: Forty patients of nephrotic syndrome, fulfilling the pentad criteria (proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperlipiduria and edema) were included in this study. Proteinuria was more than 3.5g per 24 hour in adults and more than 1000 mg/m2 in children. Ten healthy subjects were included as control. Patients on dialysis, pregnancy and with proteinuria of less than 3.5g per 24 hour were excluded from the study. Patients were selected from Nephrology outpatient department of Shalamar Hospital Lahore and Children hospital and Institute of child Health Lahore. The trace metals were measured on continuous source Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (ContrAA700) using flame mode for Zn and Cu.
Results: The levels of serum Zn and Cu were significantly lower (28.61