This study was planned to investigate the effects of copper (Cu) defic
iency on liver and bone metabolism in malnourished children. Serum tot
al calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (P), Ca/P, Cu/Ca, Cu/P ratios an
d alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity values were analyzed. Aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl
transferase (GGT) enzyme activities and the ALT/AST (De Ritis) ratio a
s well as their correlations with Cu were tested to determine liver fu
nction. The results of the study showed that Cu deficiency directly af
fects the organic matrix formation, and by the suppression of ALP acti
vity, indirectly causes decalcification. In the liver, however, no dir
ect effect of Cu deficiency was seen. Deterioration in liver function
and Cu deficiency increased parallel with the severity of malnutrition
. Thus we concluded that a correlation exists between Cu and the param
eters that indicate liver function.