Abstract

Background: One of the prime global health problem in children is pneumonia accounting for 29% of mortality worldwide. One of the important micronutrient in humans which plays vital role in stimulation and proper functioning of immune system and prevents infections is zinc. There is a strong correlation between risk of pneumonia in a population with zinc deficiency with high rates of infections such as diarrhea, skin, and respiratory infections. The prime objective of present study is to provide further experimental support to strengthen above correlation. To study the serum zinc levels in children hospitalised with pneumonia and correlation between serum zinc levels and severity of pneumonia and its complications.
Materials and Methods: This observational cross sectional study included 100 subjects (100 with pneumonia and 100 without pneumonia) aged between <12 months to 5 years of age diagnosed with various levels of pneumonia. A detailed history, clinical examination, chest X-ray findings, arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), haemoglobin (g/dl), WBC count and serum zinc levels (µg/dl) was noted.
Results: Mean serum zinc levels in cases was significantly low compared to age and sex matched controls (p value-0.001). Low serum zinc levels were associated with increasing severity of pneumonia (Pneumonia-112.21µg/dl, severe pneumonia- 41.18µg/dl, very severe pneumonia- 28.38µg/dl). Mean serum zinc levels in complicated pneumonia and death cases was very low 22.28µg/dl compared to those with no complications 189.94µg/dl and who were discharged 197.67µg/dl. Low serum zinc levels were associated with prolonged hospital stay and prime cause of death in children.
Conclusion: Our study results conclude that there is a contrary relation between serum zinc and different stages of pneumonial agony than in matched healthy controls. Prognosis could be augmentation of zinc in hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory infection.