What are the symptoms of zinc deficiency in boys?

As we all know, although the content of trace elements in the human body is not much, they are very necessary for maintaining human health. Especially for children, if the body lacks trace elements, it will lead to developmental delays and have a great impact on the child's future. Nowadays, many children are zinc deficient, which requires them to eat more foods high in zinc. So, what are the symptoms of zinc deficiency in boys?

What are the symptoms of zinc deficiency in children?

Once a child is zinc deficient, some symptoms will appear in the body, and the symptoms will vary depending on the degree of zinc deficiency. But it is important for parents to understand what the symptoms of zinc deficiency are in their children. When a child shows the following 5 symptoms, he or she may be zinc deficient.

First, reduced taste

When a child is zinc deficient, the tongue mucosa will not function normally and the sense of taste will decrease. If the child has a poor sense of taste, he or she will show symptoms such as anorexia and loss of appetite.

Second, slow growth

Zinc is related to the activity of more than 80 enzymes in the body, and the activity of enzymes is the key to cell metabolism in children. When a child is zinc deficient, the body's metabolic function will become abnormal, resulting in slow growth.

Third, skin problems

Children who are zinc deficient are more likely to develop some skin diseases, such as oral ulcers, shedding of tongue mucosa, etc. Older children may also develop acne.

Fourth, weak immunity

Zinc deficiency causes children's immunity to decline, making their bodies more susceptible to infection by bacteria. When children are zinc deficient, they are more likely to suffer from respiratory infections when the seasons change.

Fifth, low intelligence

Zinc can promote the synthesis of protein and DHA in children's brain cells. When a child lacks zinc, his intelligence will be lower than that of normal children.

What are the causes of zinc deficiency in children?

Parents all know that zinc deficiency is bad for children's health and can easily lead to physical maldevelopment. But parents should also note that before taking any treatment, they should first understand the cause of their children's zinc deficiency. Usually, children's zinc deficiency is caused by the following factors.

First, the baby was born prematurely

The golden time for the baby to store zinc in the mother's body is the last month of the late pregnancy. Full-term babies enjoy this treatment, but premature babies miss the opportunity.

Second, do not eat breast milk

Breast milk is rich in zinc, especially colostrum, which contains more zinc than regular milk. Children who have never been breastfed or who receive little breast milk are prone to zinc deficiency.

Third, seasonal reasons

Some babies are zinc deficient due to seasonal reasons, such as the summer when zinc deficiency is more common in children. The temperature is high in summer, children's appetite decreases, and the zinc in the body is easily excreted through sweating, but the zinc supplemented is less.

Fourth, improper addition of complementary food

For bottle-fed babies, it is necessary to start adding foods high in zinc after 4 months. If parents are not aware of this and do not give their children enough zinc, it may also lead to zinc deficiency in their children.