Serum zinc status in thalassemic adolescents attending Yangon Children Hospital, Myanmar

Author(s):  
Win-Yu Aung ◽  
Thae-Nu Htwe ◽  
Myat Thandar ◽  
Ohn Mar

Background: Thalassemia constitutes a major public health problem causing a significant burden on children and their families. Zinc deficiency plays an important role in many thalassemia-related complications like growth retardation, hypogonadism and delayed puberty which are frequently noted in adolescent age. Although zinc is supplemented to thalassemic patients visiting Day Care Center, Yangon Children Hospital (YCH), Myanmar, a report concerning serum zinc level of these patients is still lacking. This study, therefore, aimed to assess serum zinc status in thalassemic adolescents attending Day Care Center, YCH. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 99 thalassemic adolescents. Mean age of diagnosis was 5.1±2.1 years. Non-fasting serum zinc concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. According to National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, zinc deficiency was defined as serum zinc concentration < 66 μg/dL (female) and < 70 μg/dL (male). Results: Serum zinc concentration (μg/dL) was 57.35 (47.30-80.14) (median, interquartile range) with maximum, 195.05 and minimum, 28.83. Zinc deficiency was observed in 69.7% (69 out of 99; 35 males and 34 females) of the patients. The associations of zinc deficiency with gender, phenotype and the use of chelator were non-significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: In spite of zinc supplementation, nearly 70% of the thalassemic adolescents showed zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency in these adolescents might not be related to gender, phenotypes or the use of chelator. Poor compliance to take zinc supplementation and/or irregular blood transfusion could partly be attributable to zinc deficiency in these adolescents. Providing health education on the importance of regular intake of adequate zinc is advisable and periodic evaluation of zinc levels is recommended for thalassemic adolescents.

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (3_suppl3) ◽  
pp. S403-S429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Y. Hess ◽  
Janet M. Peerson ◽  
Janet C. King ◽  
Kenneth H. Brown

Assessing the prevalence and severity of zinc deficiency in populations is critical to determine the need for and appropriate targeting of zinc intervention programs and to assess their effectiveness for improving the health and well-being of high-risk populations. However, there is very little information on the zinc status of populations worldwide due to the lack of consensus on appropriate biochemical indicators of zinc status. The objective of this review was to evaluate the use of serum zinc concentration as an indicator of population zinc status. We have reviewed the response of serum zinc concentration to dietary zinc restriction and zinc supplementation. In addition, we completed pooled analyses of nine zinc intervention trials in young children to assess the relations between serum zinc concentration of individuals before treatment and their responses to zinc supplementation. Also, in updated combined analyses of previously published data, we investigated the relation between the mean initial serum zinc concentration of a study population and their mean growth responses to zinc supplementation in randomized intervention trials among children. The results from depletion/repletion studies indicate that serum zinc concentrations respond appreciably to severe dietary zinc restriction, although there is considerable interindividual variation in these responses. There is also clear evidence that both individual and population mean serum zinc concentrations increase consistently during zinc supplementation, regardless of the initial level of serum zinc concentration. By contrast, an individual's serum zinc concentration does not reliably predict that person's response to zinc supplementation. Serum zinc concentration can be considered a useful biomarker of a population's risk of zinc deficiency and response to zinc interventions, although it may not be a reliable indicator of individual zinc status.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 468-473
Author(s):  
Man Kumar Tamang ◽  
Uday Narayan Yadav ◽  
Anish Acharya ◽  
Madhab Lamsal

Background: Zinc deficiency is one of the major public health problems especially in developing countries, with an estimation of over 80% of pregnant women to be zinc deficient worldwide. Maternal zinc deficiency elevates the risk of foetal growth restriction. This study aimed to assess zinc deficiency and to examine the factors associated with zinc status among pregnant women attending a tertiary level hospital in Sunsari district, province no. one, Nepal.Methods: Pregnant women were selected by using time frame consecutive sampling at B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan from September to November 2018. Data on nutritional, socio-demographic and reproductive profiles were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Blood was collected from each pregnant woman to estimate serum zinc concentration by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Association between serum zinc concentration and predictor variables were assessed using chi-square test.Results: A total of 156 women participated in the study. The prevalence of zinc deficiency among the pregnant women was 22.6%. Our data did not show association of any of the socio-demographic, nutritional and reproductive variables with serum zinc status (p-value>0.05) in chi-square. Conclusions: Zinc deficiency was found to be prevalent in our targeted population. However, community based studies need to be conducted for exploring more precise relationship between zinc status and other variables.Keywords: Nepal; nutritional factors; pregnant women; zinc status.


2000 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy A. Jern ◽  
Anne D. VanBeber ◽  
Mary Anne Gorman ◽  
Cynthia G. Weber ◽  
George U. Liepa ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39
Author(s):  
Amarabia N.E. Ibeawuchi ◽  
Alphonsus N. Onyiriuka ◽  
Philip O. Abiodun

AbstractBackground and Aims: In Nigeria, community-based epidemiological data related to the prevalence of zinc deficiency in preschool children are scarce. We assessed the prevalence of zinc deficiency and the associated socio-demographic variables in children aged between 6 and 60 months, living in a Nigerian rural community.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the serum zinc concentrations of 252 children aged between 6 and 60 months in a rural community in Nigeria were assessed, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The study population was selected by multistage random sampling and at least two children were selected from every household which had children in the study age group. The socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects were obtained, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire.Results: A total of 252 children were studied, 134 (53.2%) males and 118 (46.8%) females. The mean age was 32.7±17.0 months, similar for both sexes. Overall, 220 (87.3%) had low serum zinc concentrations (less than 7.65µmol/L). According to age, the highest mean serum zinc concentration was 5.43±3.52µmol/L in children aged between 6 and 12 months. Correlation between serum zinc concentration and family size or socio-economic status (SES) showed that the smaller the family size and the higher the SES, the higher the serum zinc concentration.Conclusions: The high prevalence of low serum zinc concentration indicates that zinc deficiency is a public health problem in our rural communities, requiring public health intervention.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kei Furihata ◽  
Masaru Tsuchikawa ◽  
Takaki Miwa ◽  
Yuji Naito ◽  
Koji Oba ◽  
...  

Zinc intake is recommended for zinc deficiency. In clinical practice, polaprezinc has been used as a zinc replacement therapy for zinc deficiency. However, the efficacy of polaprezinc has not been established. To confirm the efficacy on zinc deficiency of polaprezinc and provide additional information on an appropriate regimen, we conducted a systematic review using individual patient data (IPD). We searched PubMed, the Japanese database Ichushi, and the database owned by the marketing authorization holder of polaprezinc. Randomized placebo-controlled trials that reported the serum zinc concentration were eligible. The mean difference of the change from baseline in serum zinc concentration was estimated using a fixed-effects model. The linear dose–response relationship and the subgroup effects were also assessed. Out of 54 unique randomized clinical trials (RCTs), four studies met the eligibility criteria, and we could access IPD for all of them. All three doses of polaprezinc (75 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg) and the placebo group were examined. The dose-combined overall polaprezinc increased the change from baseline by a mean of 9.08 µg/dL (95% confidence interval: 5.46, 12.70; heterogeneity: I 2 = 0.61%) compared to the placebo. A significant dose–response relationship was confirmed (p < 0.001). Baseline serum zinc concentration was considered an effect modifier in polaprezinc 300 mg. All doses of polaprezinc were tolerable, but a dose–response relationship with adverse events (AEs) was observed in gastrointestinal disorders. The dose of 300 mg may be useful among patients with baseline serum zinc concentration of less than 70 µg/dL, and 150 mg for 70 µg/dL or more.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S514-S515
Author(s):  
K Sakurai ◽  
T Katsurada ◽  
S Otagiri ◽  
K Yamanashi ◽  
K Nagashima ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Zinc deficiency is common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and the frequency is about 42.1% in Crohn’s disease (CD) and 38.5% in ulcerative colitis (UC). Patients with IBD with serum zinc deficiency are more likely to have adverse disease-specific outcomes. However, there are few studies about the effect of administering zinc preparations in IBD patients with zinc deficiency. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of zinc acetate hydrate (Nobelzin®︎) preparation for patients with IBD with zinc deficiency. Methods 56 IBD patients who were treated with Nobelzin®︎ for zinc deficiency from March 2017 to November 2019 were analyzed. We conducted a multicenter retrospective observational study to investigate changes in serum zinc concentration or changes in disease activity before and after administration and their contributing factors. Results Among 56 cases, 4 cases were excluded due to self-interruption of internal use, and 52 cases (39 cases of CD, 13 cases of UC) were included. The median observation period was 27.5 (13–47) weeks, the median serum zinc concentration before administration was 58.5 (50.8–65.3) μg/dl, and the average of starting dose of Nobelzin®︎ was 67.8±31.1 mg/day. Nobelzin®︎ administration normalised serum zinc concentration(Zn ≥80 μg/dl) in 94.2 % (49/52) of patients. The median administration period required for normalisation of serum zinc concentration was 5 (3–8) weeks. In the group of CD patients who achieved zinc normalisation, the median CDAI score significantly improved after the normalisation from 171.5 to 129.5 (p &lt; 0.001). Similarly, the partial Mayo score in the same group of UC significantly improved after the normalisation (p = 0.035). There were 77.6 % patients who did not have additional treatment without Nobelzin®︎ administration until zinc was normalised. In CD patients of this group, the median CDAI score significantly improved after the normalisation from 152 to 120 (p = 0.029). All 3 cases in which zinc normalisation was not achieved within the observation period were CD cases, and they had a history of multiple surgeries, changes in biologics, or a long medical history. In one patient, side effects of Nobelzin®︎ administration were observed and these were abdominal discomfort and nausea. During the observation period, serum copper concentration was measured in 27 patients after administration of Nobelzin®︎, and one patient presented with copper deficiency. Conclusion Our findings show that administration of zinc acetate hydrate preparations may be effective in improving zinc deficiency and contribute to improve disease activity in IBD patients with zinc deficiency.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-531
Author(s):  
Bahar Azemati ◽  
Maliheh Khoramdad ◽  
Mostafa Qorbani ◽  
Hadith Rastad ◽  
Gita Shafiee ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundTo determine the prevalence of serum zinc deficiency and provide the age- and sex-specific percentile values of serum zinc in children and adolescents.MethodsWe used the gathered data through the CASPIAN-V study, a national survey conducted on 3500 students aged 7–18 years from 30 provinces of Iran. In this study, 1370 blood samples were selected randomly, and serum zinc concentration was measured using a Hitachi automated analyzer. Zinc deficiency was defined as a serum zinc level of less than 75 μg/dL. Age-sex specific reference percentile values were developed for serum zinc concentration.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 12.4 ± 3.0 years; 49.3% were girls and 73% were urban inhabitants. Mean (standard deviation [SD]) of serum zinc concentration was 107.23 (25.81) μg/dL with a significant sex difference; 109.03 ± 26.12 μg/dL for males compared to 105.41 ± 25.3 μg/dL for females (p = 0.009). The prevalence of subclinical zinc deficiency was 4.9% (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 3.0, 6.9) in children and adolescents. Both zinc deficient and sufficient groups were similar in terms of age, sex and residential areas (all p-value > 0.05). Overall, the 5th and 95th percentile values for serum zinc were 68.28 and 151.87 μg/dL, respectively. The value of all percentiles consistently decreased with age. The 10–99th percentile values for serum zinc were greater in boys than girls at all ages.ConclusionsNearly 5% of subjects had zinc deficiency. Age-sex specific percentile values were established for Iranian children and adolescents.


2019 ◽  
Vol 149 (9) ◽  
pp. 1503-1510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey B Holmes ◽  
Hou Kroeun ◽  
Lisa A Houghton ◽  
Rosalind S Gibson ◽  
Kimberly B Harding ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background Multiple micronutrient (MMN) supplementation may result in interaction effects due to competing absorptive pathways of trace elements. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of MMN supplementation with or without iron on serum zinc, selenium, and copper concentrations in Cambodian women. Methods In a 2 × 2 factorial double-blind randomized 12-wk trial, predominantly anemic, nonpregnant women (aged 18–45 y) received daily 60 mg of iron (Fe; n = 201); 14 other micronutrients including zinc (15 mg), selenium (65 μg), and copper (2 mg), but no iron (MMN; n = 202); 60 mg iron plus MMN (Fe + MMN; n = 206); or a placebo (n = 200). Fasting morning blood was collected at baseline and 12 wk from women in 26 villages in Kampong Chhnang province. Serum zinc, selenium, and copper concentrations (secondary outcomes of the randomized controlled trial) were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Generalized linear regression was used to estimate intervention effects [β coefficient (95% CI)] for Fe (with or without MMN) and MMN (with or without Fe) after testing for the presence of an Fe × MMN interaction. Results A total of 760 women completed the trial. Zinc deficiency prevalence at baseline was 45% (inflammation-adjusted serum zinc <10.7 μmol/L). A significant Fe × MMN interaction (P = 0.02) was detected in the 2 × 2 analysis with serum zinc concentration as the outcome: the MMN group had a higher mean serum zinc concentration at 12 wk (12.3 μmol/L; 95% CI: 12.2, 12.4 μmol/L) compared with all other groups, and the Fe + MMN group had a higher mean serum zinc concentration (11.6 μmol/L; 95% CI: 11.5, 11.7 μmol/L) compared with the Fe group (11.0 μmol/L; 95% CI: 10.9, 11.0 μmol/L) and the placebo group (11.2 μmol/L; 95% CI: 11.1, 11.4 μmol/L). Conclusions The inclusion of 60 mg iron in the daily MMN formulation may be interfering with the absorption and/or metabolism of supplemental zinc in Cambodian women. This is of particular concern when MMN supplementation is implemented in populations with risk of zinc deficiency. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT-02481375.


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