ABSTRACT
Zinc deficiency in children is an important public health problem in the developing world [Manary et al, 2002]. Several lines of evidence suggest that zinc status of our infants and children are marginal or low. First, animal products, the main source of zinc, represent only a small percentage of the usual diet. Second, high consumption of rice and vegetablesmay preclude adequate zinc absorption because of their high phytate and fiber contents. Third, gastrointestinal disease [diarrhea, parasites] may increase intestinal losses of zinc. So, in our locality, the magnitude of marginal zinc deficiency problem in apparently healthy infants and children is expected to be high [Hegazi et al., 2002]. The pattern and intensity of protozoal infections in zinc deficient children were studied in comparison to children with normal serum zinc level. The present study [case control study] was conducted on 55 children from rural areas around Mansoura, attending the outpatient clinic of Mansoura University Children's Hospital. They were of both sexes and their ages ranged from 4-11 years. Cryptosporidium parvum was the commonest parasite prevalent among both groups. Other protozoal infections detected were Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, with a prevalence of 60.6% and. 57.6% respectively in children with low serum zinc compared to 54.5%, and 50% in children with normal serum zinc level. These differences were statistically insignificant. However, zinc deficient children had statistically significant heavy intensity of protozoal infections compared to children with normal serum zinc level. Also, it was observed that zinc deficient children showed statistically significant co-infection with 3 protozoa compared to children with normal serum zinc level who suffered from only one or two protozoal infection at most