[Metabolic balance of zinc in infants and children]. / Bilanse metaboliczne cynku u niemowlat i dzieci.

Zinc metabolism in infants and children was evaluated on the basis of chemical balance studies of this element. The zinc intake chemically measured oscillated in the broad limits from 0,2 to 17,1 mg/d according to the age and to the manner of feeding; the highly positive zinc retentions were obtained only in infants with high intake of this element. Zinc in the diet of infants in some part derived from water. Low positive retentions were observed by intake in the limits of daily allowances (3-5 mg/d) and by the low content of calcium in the diet. About one half of zinc balances was negative because of relatively low zinc intake and the high calcium intake. The negative zinc balances could be caused also by the suggested presence of antinutritive substances in the diet. The low zinc intake founded in older children (3-10 years) and the low retention of this element could be the reason zinc deficiency states in children of different age.

[Serum cholesterol levels in children aged 4-14 years]. / Cholesterol w surowicy krwi u dzieci w wieku 4-14 lat.

Total serum or plasma cholesterol levels in children aged 4, 6, 10 and 14 years were investigated. The studies included children from kindergartens and schools of Wola and Ochota Districts of Warsaw. Examination was performed on 1289 children (667 girls and 622 boys). 362 children (199 girls and 163 boys) of 10 years old group were in nonfasting state, residual children from all groups were in fasting state. Mean values of cholesterol levels in children aged 4 and 6 years were similar (161,6 +/- 27 vis 161,8 +/- 27 mg per 100 ml). The trend towards decrease of cholesterol levels with age was observed. Cholesterol levels in fasting (156,2 +/- 24,6 mg per 100 ml) and nonfasting (180,0 +/- 25 mg per 100 ml) 10 years groups of children were statistically significant (p less than 0,001). Percentile and percentage distribution of cholesterol levels below mean value, above mean +/- 1 SD, above 200 and 230 mg per 100 ml is presented for all investigated age groups. In the investigated population of children cholesterol levels greater than 200 mg per 100 ml occurred in 3,2-7,2% in boys and 0-11,6% in girls dependent on age. Respectively values greater than 230 mg per 100 ml were in 0-1,2% for boys and 0-2,1% for girls.

[Recommended nutritional norms for infants and pre-school children]. / Zalecane normy spozycia na skladniki pokarmowe u niemowlat i dzieci w wieku przedszkolnym.

The authors analyzing the results of investigations carried out the National Research Institute of Mother and Child and in many other competent scientific centres in the world, compare recommended nutritional norms for infants and for pre-school age children. They pay attention to particular characteristics of the developmental dynamics of growth which determine requirements for all food components. The authors present this problem in the light of data resulting from scientific objectivity of this problem creating scientific basis of nutrition. In many cases, particularly with reference to the requirements and recommendation of intake of food constituents, mostly in infancy, they are discussed on the basis of the research carried out at the Department of Nutrition and the Clinical Department of Nutritional Physiology of the National Research Institute of Mother and Child. According to the investigations the following daily nutritional norms are recommended: 2,6-3,6 g of protein, 3,0-3,5 g of fat, about 12 g of carbohydrate per kilogram of body mass. The authors stress that the quality of the products being the source of these nutritional components should also be scientifically investigated. In infancy it is very important that the milk is modified in such a way that it is similar to the human milk which constitutes the best example of quality and quantity to cover the requirements in the most dynamic period of development of a human being.