A sensitive, accurate flameless atomic absorption method, requiring only 1 μl of sample per determination, was used to investigate the serum zinc levels of newborns and to establish normal values. There were no significant differences due to race or sex. The mean zinc value for 115 normal newborns was 91.8 μg/l00 ml and not significantly different from the mean value for 25 normal adults, 94.6 μg/l00 ml.