Comparison of serum zinc levels between healthy and malnourished children

ABSTRACT

To compare serum zinc levels of healthy and malnourished children. Prospective study. Department of Pediatrics and Dermatology Allied/DHQ Hospital Punjab Medical College Faisalabad between July 2006 to September 2006. Serum zinc levels of 150 children between the ages of 2 months to 14 years of either sex were studied, out of which 75 hospitalized children were suffering from malnutrition while 75 healthy children were taken as control from the outdoor. Both groups were further divided into three age groups 2 months to 4 years, 5-10 years and 11-14 years. Verbal consent was taken from all the parents. All the details of children were enrolled on a specific proforma designed for the study. No ethical issue was involved. Malnourished children were classified and sub-grouped according to modified Gomez classification. Serum zinc levels were measured at HiTech Laboratory, Agriculture University, Faisalabad by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, the most widely used and reliable method. The mean serum zinc level of 75 healthy children was found to be 99.97 micro g/dl [Standard Error +/- 10.2] while mean serum zinc level of 75 malnourished children was 51.2 micro g/dl [ +/- 1.14]. The children suffering from 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree malnutrition were 22, 27 and 26 in number with a mean level of 56.36 micro g/dl [ +/- 2.26], 51.56 micro g/dl [ +/- 1.89] and 46.46 micro g/dl [ +/- 1.36] respectively. Statistical analysis of data was done by calculating P-value with analysis of variance of serum zinc level for degree of malnutrition, age and sex. It showed that serum zinc level of malnourished children is significantly low [P-value = 0.001]. There is a significant difference of serum zinc levels between healthy and malnourished children especially in children with diarrhea and respiratory tract infection. This signifies a proper replacement of zinc as part of management of malnutrition and also during disease process