Abstract
Summary
1. Plasma copper was determined in 29 patients with sprue in relapse, 27 patients with sprue in remission, and 6 patients with megaloblastic anemia of pregnancy. 2. Mean plasma copper concentration (± 1 S.D.) in patients with sprue in relapse was 87 ± 33 μg%; in treated patients, 114 ± 33; and in patients with megaloblastic anemia of pregnancy, 159 (105 − 242). 3. It is suggested that hypocupremia in sprue may frequently be due primarily to an inability to synthesize the protein portion of ceruloplasmin. In a few patients malabsorption of copper may be a contributing factor.
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