الفهرس 
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Abstract
Trace elements have a major role as both oxidants and antioxidants, promoting
and protecting from tissue damage respectively. As the liver has a pivotal role in
trace elements metabolism and consequenyly their bioavailability, we aimed to
measure serum levels of essential trace elements in children with chronic liver
diseases (CLDs) regardless the etiology and to study their correlation with liver
function tests. Serum zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe); together with other
trace elements parameters; were measured in 50 children with CLDs using
spectrophotometry and their levels were compared with those in 50 age and sex
matched healthy children as controls. Serum Cu, Fe, ferritin and transferrin
saturation (TS) were significantly higher in the CLDs group than that in the
control group; while serum Zn and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were
significantly lower in the CLDs than that in the control group. Serum Fe, Cu, TS
and ferritin were positively correlated with biochemical parameters of liver
damage; while serum Zn and TIBC were negatively correlated with biochemical
parameters of liver damage. These results encourage inclusion of serum Zn, Cu
and Fe as biomarkers for monitoring the severity of liver damage during routine
assessment of children with CLDs. We recommended caution to avoid excess Fe
and Cu intake in children with CLDs. Moreover, Zn supplementation could be
encouraged in children with CLDs regardless its etiology.