PNEUMONIA IN CHILDREN: IS IT RELATED TO ZINC DEFICIENCY
Abstract
Introduction. Acute lower respiratory infections (predominantly pneumonia) accounts for one third of all childhood deaths in developing countries. Because zinc deficiency results in impaired immunocompetence and zinc supplementation improves immune status, the role of zinc deficiency in incidence of acute lower respiratory infections was investigated. .
Methods. Thirty children admitted to the children ward of Al-zahra hospital (affiliated to IUMSHS) during 1379; were submitted to a descriptive comparative and conventional study. In these children simulating and underlying causes of pneumonia as well as reactive airway disease were ruled out. Scalp hair from occipital area was cutted and zinc content were measured by neutron activator analysis (NAA).
Results. In the case group, male to female ratio was 1:1.7, mean age was 58.4±48.9 months old, mean weight was 17.52±10.2 kg, mean height was 99.4±26.39 Cm, with no significant differences among the case and the control groups. Growth indices (weight: height and weight: age ratio) were similar among both groups. Hair zinc level was higher in the control group than in the casees (117.32±50.9 ppm V.S 88.24±45.1 ppm) (P < O.03). There is a direct correlation between zinc level and age in both groups (P < 0.05).
Discussion. This study supports a role for zinc in immunity to respiratory infections. Because of the substantial lower level of hair zinc in both groups in comparison with the other countries evaluation of causes of zinc deficiency and effectiveness of zinc supplementations is recommended for other extended studies.
Methods. Thirty children admitted to the children ward of Al-zahra hospital (affiliated to IUMSHS) during 1379; were submitted to a descriptive comparative and conventional study. In these children simulating and underlying causes of pneumonia as well as reactive airway disease were ruled out. Scalp hair from occipital area was cutted and zinc content were measured by neutron activator analysis (NAA).
Results. In the case group, male to female ratio was 1:1.7, mean age was 58.4±48.9 months old, mean weight was 17.52±10.2 kg, mean height was 99.4±26.39 Cm, with no significant differences among the case and the control groups. Growth indices (weight: height and weight: age ratio) were similar among both groups. Hair zinc level was higher in the control group than in the casees (117.32±50.9 ppm V.S 88.24±45.1 ppm) (P < O.03). There is a direct correlation between zinc level and age in both groups (P < 0.05).
Discussion. This study supports a role for zinc in immunity to respiratory infections. Because of the substantial lower level of hair zinc in both groups in comparison with the other countries evaluation of causes of zinc deficiency and effectiveness of zinc supplementations is recommended for other extended studies.
Keywords
Pneumonia, Zinc, Pediatrics, Immunity, Isfahan