Abstract：Objective To investigate concentrations of blood trace elements of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu), and macro element of calcium (Ca) in peripheral blood in healthy children aged of 0 to 15 years.Methods Zn, Fe, Cu and Ca were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in 1646 children who came to have health examination in the Department of Pediatrics of Peking University Third Hospital. These children were divided into subgroups of <1, 1-<4, 4-<7 and 7-15 years old. Differences of these elements among age groups and between gender were analyzed.Results Fe and Zn increased but Ca decreased with age. Cu level in 7-5 years age group was significant lower than other groups. Cu concentrations were basically normal and there was no excess of Fe among all the groups. The overall deficiency rate of Fe was 29.7%, with the highest deficiency rate being observed in <1 and 1-<4 years old groups, 53.7% and 29.1% respectively. Deficiency rate of Zn was 13.4%, and it was the highest (22.3%) in 7-15 years old group. The overall excess rate of Ca was 4.2% and it was 9.1% in <1 year old group. Few children (1.8%) were deficient in Ca. There were no differences in Ca and Zn concentrations between males and females within each age group. Fe level in boys was higher than in girls in 1-<4 and 7-15 years old groups. Cu level in <1 year old group had similar characteristic.Conclusion The level of Ca decreased gradually with age in 0-15 years old children. However, Fe and Zn gradually increased with age. Fe and Zn deficiency rate was relatively high. The level of Ca was excessive in some infants. So calcium supplementation should be applied with caution.
