Levels of serum trace elements in children and adolescents aged 7 to 17 years and their relationship with growth and development indicators in Yinchuan and Wuzhong

Objective To examine the relationship between the levels of serum trace elements, such as iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, with growth and development indicators in children and adolescents aged 7 to 17 years in Yinchuan and Wuzhong, and to provide a basis for reasonable supplementation of trace elements. Methods The stratified cluster sampling method was used to extract 6 primary schools, 5 junior middle schools and 2 senior middle schools in Yinchuan (Xingqing District, Xixia District, Jinfeng District) and Wuzhong. According to the relevant inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 1 860 subjects were selected. After physical examination and intravenous blood collection, the levels of trace elements such as iron, zinc, copper, calcium and magnesium in the centrifuged serum were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Results The median level of iron was 20.23 mg /L, the interquartile range was 21.67 mg /L, the median level of zinc was 2.98 mg /L, and the interquartile range was 2.98 mg /L. The median level of copper was 0.76 mg /L, the interquartile range was 0.38 mg /L, the median level of calcium was 72.57 mg /L, and the interquartile range was 38.42 mg /L. The median level of magnesium was 13.59 mg / L and the interquartile range was 6.89 mg /L. The comparison of the total levels of five serum trace elements in children and adolescents of different age groups showed that the levels of iron, zinc, copper and magnesium in the four age groups were statistically significant(Z valus were 20.12, 89.93, 55.23, 55.76, P<0.01). There was no significant in the total levels of five serum trace elements between different genders (Z values were -0.16, -0.77, -1.88, -0.95, -2.06, P>0.05). Iron, zinc, copper and magnesium were related to height and weight. Iron and zinc were positively correlated with height and weight, and copper and magnesium were negatively correlated with height and weight. Zinc was positively correlated with BMI, and copper, magnesium was negatively correlated with BMI. There was a positive correlation between zinc and HAZ. There was a negative correlation between copper, magnesium and WAZ and BAZ. Iron was negatively correlated with BAZ (P<0.05). Conclusion Trace elements such as iron, zinc, copper, calcium and magnesium are of important significance for children's growth and development. Through the interaction between schools and parents, it can improve the awareness of health care and promote children and adolescents' health.