TO STUDY THE ZINC LEVELS IN ACUTE DIARRHOEA IN PAEDIATRIC AGE GROUP

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Diarrhoea is the major cause of mortality in India for children <5 years of age. Association studies highlight the potential role of zinc in treatment of acute diarrhoea. Zinc deciency is responsible for 4.4% of childhood deaths in under-developed nations. However, zinc supplementation has been shown to be effective in decreasing the prevalence and incidence of diarrhoea. In this regard, we aimed to estimate the serum zinc levels in children suffering from acute diarrhoea AIMS: To assess the zinc levels in children with acute diarrhoea in paediatric age group. OBJECTIVES: To assess the severity of diarrhoea in association with zinc levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This Hospital Based Longitudinal Observational Study was done in the Department of Paediatrics at MMIMSR, Mullana over a period of one and a half year. Serum Zinc along with sodium, potassium and chloride levels were measured in cases of acute diarrhoea. RESULTS: In this study, the prevalence of zinc deciency in children with diarrhoea was 62% and was more prevalent in children <5 years of age. There was a negative correlation (p value 0.009) between serum zinc levels and dehydration. A negative correlation (p value <0.001) was also observed between zinc levels and sodium and chloride levels whereas levels of K did not show any signicant difference with mean zinc values.