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Original Research

Ann Med Res. 2003; 10(2): 55-57


Serum Zinc Levels in Infants with Acute Diarrhea

Nuran Çetin*, Esra Özer*, Ali Rahmi Bakiler*,Gülben Sözen*, Naciye Yensel**

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Abstract


 

Objectives: It is known that zinc is an essential element playing an important role on cellular regeneration and

immune system functions as well as its deficiency carries a risk in the development of various infections. The goal

of this study was to investigate the significance of plasma zinc levels in infants with acute diarrhea.

Patients And Methods: This study included overall 42 infants, ages ranging between 3 to 23 months (mean 10.5

months), who were hospitalized due to acute diarrhea. Serum zinc levels were measured in the venous blood at

the admission using atomic absorbtion spectrophotometry. The parameters including age, sex, nutrional

characteristics, duration of diarrhea and hospitalization were statistically compared between those with a serum

level below 60 μg/dl and others with normal level.

Results: Of 42 patients, 27 (64.2%) had low plasma zinc levels and the remaining 15 (35.8%) were normal. Both

groups did not show statistically significant difference in terms of age, sex, duration of breast feeding and

hospitalization. In contrast, duration of diarrhea in infants with low plasma zinc level was found to be

significantly longer than duration in infants with normal levels (mean 9.8 days and 6.5 days, respectively, p=0.03).

Conclusion: We conclude that low zinc level is associated with longer periods of acute diarrhea in infants, thus

causing an increase in morbidity and mortality. These children may have benefits from zinc supplemantation.

Keywords: Infant, Zinc, Diarrhea






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