How is a child tested for trace elements?
Disease description:
My child is still very young this year, but he/she frequently cries during sleep and isn’t growing taller. I’m worried that he/she may be deficient in trace elements. Could you please tell me how to test for trace element levels in children?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Xie Zixing
Micronutrient testing can be arranged through the Department of Nutrition. If your hospital does not have a dedicated Nutrition Department, you may schedule the test through the General Internal Medicine or Gastroenterology Department. Fasting is not required for micronutrient testing. Additionally, venous blood sampling is not necessary; instead, capillary blood obtained via finger-prick is used. Commonly tested micronutrients include calcium, iron, and zinc.
