ObjectiveTo understand the nutrition status of whole blood Six elements lead (Pb), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in children in Cixi, Zhejiang province, and provide theoretical basis to guide trace and constant elements supplement in children.

MethodsA total of 7 508 children from January 2018 to October 2019 who visited preventive medicine clinic of Cixi Maternity and Child Health Care Center were surveyed, they were divided into four groups according to age, blood concentrations of Pb, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu and Zn respectively, and the medical records of children diagnosed with trace element deficiency or excess were analyzed.

ResultsThe mean blood concentrations of Pb, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu and Zn in children in all age groups were within the reference range, the differences in mean blood concentrations s of Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu and Zn showed significances among all age groups (P＜0.05), but the differences in Pb concentration showed no significance (P＞0.05). A total of 872 cases of Ca deficiency (11.61%), 448 cases of Zn deficiency (5.97%), 351 cases of Fe deficiency (4.68%), 94 cases of Pb excess (1.25%), 7 cases of Mg deficiency (0.09%) and 1 case of Cu deficiency (0.01%) were detected. The differences in Ca, Zn and Fe deficiency rates and Pb exceeding rate showed significances among all age groups (P＜0.05), but the differences in Mg and Cu deficiency rates had no significances (P＞0.05); The differences in Fe, Ca and Zn concentrations between children suffering from short stature, anorexia and acute upper respiratory infection and healthy children were significant (P＜0.05), but the differences in Pb concentration had no significance (P＞0.05).

ConclusionThe Zn, Ca and Fe deficiency rates and Pb exceeding rate were high in children in Cixi. The Fe, Ca and Zn concentrations were low in children suffering from short stature, anorexia and acute upper respiratory infection, so it is recommended to have appropriate supplement.