[Daily intake and nutritional status of copper in infants, children and teen-agers in light of personal experience].

Abstract

The daily intake of copper in infants, children and teen-agers was evaluated with chemical analysis of daily meals. The intake depending upon the age oscillated in the limits of 0.065-3.5 mg of copper per day. The metabolic chemical balances of this element showed slightly positive copper retention. In some cases the balances were negative. It may be explained by the low copper intake with the diet and eventual effect of associated factors making difficult the copper utilization. Differentiated and generally low copper intake and the low retention of this element explain the low copper level in hair of the investigated population.