Serum Zinc Levels in Hospitalized Children with ARI aged 2 Months to 5 years: Association with Socioeconomic and Nutritional Status in a Tertiary Care Centre
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/ijphrd.v11i8.10922Keywords:
ARI, Serum Zinc Level, Socioeconomic status, Malnutrition.Abstract
Background: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a global health problem in children. Zinc stimulates
immune responses and prevents infection. Multiple risk factors like low socioeconomic status and
malnutrition are associated to be attributable to ARI. Aim of the study was to study the serum zinc levels in
ARI children and its association with socioeconomic and nutritional status.
Material and Methods: Serum Zinc levels in 100 hospitalized children with ARI were assessed and its
association with socioeconomic and nutritional status was made out.
Results: Mean serum zinc levels in 60% of ARI children were below normal. Mean serum zinc levels was
70.27 25.33 g/dL. Serum zinc levels were statistically low in ARI children of low socioeconomic status
(P-value <0.04) and malnourished (P-value <0.05) children.
Conclusion: Serum zinc levels in children with ARI with low socioeconomic status and malnutrition were
found to be low.
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