Serum Zinc Concentration in Children with Acute Gasrtoenteritis / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To identify factors that influence serum zinc concentrations in children with acute gastroenteritis. METHODS: Thirty-two children under 5 years of age (15 boys and 17 girls) were selected randomly among those who visited to an pediatric emergency room of Ehwa Womans University Mokdong Hospital with acute gastroenteritis from May to August 2005. This study estimated the association between serum zinc concentrations and clinical, biochemical variables in patients with acute gastroenteritis. RESULTS: Serum zinc concentration was lower in febrile patients than afebrile patients with acute gastroenteritis (67.0+/-25.3 vs 85.5+/-14.2, p or =70 microgram/dL (91.7% vs 55%, p<0.05; 91.7% vs 40%, p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: In patients with acute gastroenteritis, serum zinc concentration was influenced by various factors such as fever, CRP, and biochemical factors. For evaluating zinc status in the body. factors.