Importance of Zinc in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Van Biervliet, Stephanie
Van Biervliet, Jean-Pierre
Robberecht, Eddy
Taylor, Chris

¹Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Ghent University Hospital, de Pintelaan 185 9000 Ghent, Belgium
²Department of Paediatric, Sheffield University Hospital, Belgium

^*Address correspondence to this author at the Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Ghent University Hospital, de Pintelaan 185 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Tel: 0032/9/3325514; Fax: 0032/9/3323875; E-mail: [email protected]

Current Pediatric Reviews 5(3):p 184-188, 2009.

Abstract:

Zinc (Zn) is a multipurpose trace element, sufficiency of which is difficult to assess. However, Zn deficiency could negatively influence this disease in different aspects. The symptoms of Zn deficiency as taste disturbances, decreased appetite and impaired growth but also disturbed fatty acid profiles and disturbances in immunity, inflammation and oxidative stress defence are discussed and applied to what is known in cystic fibrosis (CF) (Table 1).

Importance of Zinc in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Abstract:

Table 1. Symptoms and Signs of Zn Deficiency