SERUM ZINC AND COPPER LEVELS AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH GLYCEMIC CONTROL IN CHILDREN WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS

Abstract

Objective: Trace elements, particularly zinc and copper, play important roles in insulin metabolism, antioxidant defense, and glucose homeostasis. Alterations in their levels may contribute to oxidative stress and poor glycemic control in children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). This study aimed to evaluate serum zinc and copper levels in children with T1DM, compare them with those of healthy controls, and determine their association with glycemic control.

Methods: A hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 78 children, including 39 children with T1DM and 39 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, attending the Department of Pediatrics, NIMS Hospital, Jaipur, between August 2024 and February 2026. Clinical assessments and laboratory investigations, including serum zinc, serum copper, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), were performed. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 27.0, with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Children with T1DM had significantly higher serum copper levels (149.98 ± 29.40 vs. 96.03 ± 31.12 µg/dL; p<0.001) and HbA1c levels (7.41 ± 0.98% vs. 5.05 ± 0.29%; p<0.001), whereas serum zinc levels were significantly lower (40.34 ± 20.60 vs. 81.47 ± 14.92 µg/dL; p<0.001) compared with healthy controls. Serum copper demonstrated a significant positive correlation with HbA1c (r = 0.654, p<0.01), while serum zinc showed a strong negative correlation with HbA1c (r = −0.780, p<0.01).

Conclusion: Children with T1DM exhibit significantly elevated serum copper and reduced serum zinc concentrations compared with healthy children. These alterations are strongly associated with poor glycemic control, suggesting that trace element imbalance may contribute to disease severity and disease progression. Routine monitoring of serum zinc and copper levels, together with optimal glycemic management, may improve metabolic control and potentially reduce the risk of long-term complications in pediatric T1DM.