Serum Zinc Levels in Children with Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in the Age of 2-12 Years in Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the zinc levels in children with upper respiratory tract infection in the age of 2-12 years in Pakistan. Study Design: A prospective observational Place and Duration: Conducted at department of Paediatrics Hamdard University hospital, Karachi and PIMS Children Hospital, Islamabad for four months duration from October, 2020 to January, 2021. Methods: Total 90 children of both genders were presented in this study. Patients’ detailed demographics including age, sex, socio-economic class and maternal education were recorded after taking informed written consent from the authorities. Patients with upper respiratory tract infection were included. Mean serum zinc among children was calculated as 55.14±17.68 μg/dl. Outcomes were measured in terms of risk factors associated with URT and lower level of serum zinc among patients. Complete data was analyzed by SPSS 24.0 version. Results: There were 60 (66.7%) males and 30 (33.3%) were females. Mean age of the cases were 08.44±7.65 years. 62 (68.9%) patients were from lower socio economic status and literacy rate of mothers were 35 (38.9%).Symptoms of URTI were cough, sore throat, runny nose and headache. Previous family history of URTI found in 55 (61.1%) cases. Rhinovirus was the most common cause of URTI found in 70(77.8%) cases. Severity of cold was found among 18 (20%) children. Meanserum zinc was38.76±6.88 μg/dl and found among 87 (96%) cases. Conclusion: We concluded in this study that the zinc level was significantly lower among children who had rhinovirus due to severe cold. Keywords: Serum Zinc Level, Children, Upper Respiratory Tract Infection