serum levels of zinc in school children: a crosstalk with stunting and giardiasis

ABSTRACT

Zinc deficiency is an increasing public health problem. It may be related to compromised neurobehavioral function in children and adolescents. An association between giardiasis and zinc levels in human hosts had been reported. The occurrence of recurrent intestinal infection by Giardia lamblia may reflect a failure to correct an undefined specific nutrient deficiency, for example, the need for adequate zinc repletion. This study estimated the level of serum zinc in a sample of primary school children and to study the associations between it and height for age and giardiasis. A cross section study was carried out on randomly selected primary schools in Dubai and Ajman. They were 500 school children with age range from 6-12 years in Dubai and Ajman. The level of serum zinc, height for age and giardia infection were estimated. The results showed that the prevalence of zinc deficiency was 23% with no relationship to age or gender. The low serum zinc was significantly associated with stunting and giardiasis. Regression analysis showed that stunting and giardiasis were significant predictors for low serum zinc [Beta = 0.365, 0.684 respectively]