Serum zinc and copper in children with pulmonary tuberculosis and lobar pneumonia before and after treatment

ABSTRACT

Serum zinc and copper levels were estimated in 20 children suffering from mild to moderate pulmonary tuberculosis; 8 cases with extensive pulmonary tuberculosis; 20 cases with pneumonia and 9 cases with extensive pneumonia before and after treatment, beside 20 age matched, normal healthy children, to be used as control group. Significantly decreased serum zinc level and increased serum copper level were observed in active pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia before treatment. These changes were going hand in hand with the extent and severity of the disease. After treatment, no significant difference was observed in serum zinc and copper in both tuberculous and pneumonic children as compared to normal controls