scholarly journals Clinical significance of zinc: results of the 14-year prospective study of children

2018 ◽  
pp. 147-153
Author(s):  
T. I. Legonkova ◽  
O. N. Shtykova ◽  
O. V. Voitenkova ◽  
T. G. Stepina

Purpose of the study: to determine the clinical significance of Zn deficiency based on the 14-year prospective study of children with different levels of zinc at birth. Patients and methods. Pregnant women and their newborns (n = 316) were screened for serum Zn levels. A total of 146 motherchild pairs were followed-up during the year, of which 102 children were followed-up for up to 14 years. Results. The study showed that the prevalence of zinc deficiency in the women followed-up was as follows: 77% in pregnant women, 80% in newborns. 94% of children with Zn deficiency at birth demonstrated zinc deficiency even at school age. There is a correlation between the serum Zn level in children and their mothers both during the newborn period and at school age (r = 0.38), with p <0.05. the period of newborns, and at school age (r = 0.38), with p <0.05. The 1-year-children with zinc deficiency, in comparison with infants with sufficient zinc levels are more often diagnosed with rickets 86,2% and 45,1%, anemia 37,9% and 17,7%, dystrophy 27,5% and 13,8 %, as well as atopic dermatitis 65.5% and 29.4%, allergic reactions 24.1% and 15.7%, at school age they were diagnosed with a pathology of the musculoskeletal system (79% and 52%, respectively), gastrointestinal tract (61% and 41%), nervous systems (54% and 30%) and skin (66% and 45%) with p <0.05. The decrease in resistance of the body was identified 2 times more often in zinc-deficient children. The conclusion. Zinc is important at all stages of a person’s life, therefore the analysis of zinc availability should be carried out not only in pregnant and nursing mothers, children of early age, but also among risk groups for the deficiency of this microelement.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 304-312
Author(s):  
Nurfadillah S ◽  
Wardihan Sinrang ◽  
Suryani As'ad ◽  
Muh. Nasrum Massi ◽  
Mardiana Ahmad ◽  
...  

Background: According to 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) data globally, an estimated 17.3% of the population has inadequate zinc intake, with estimates ranging from 5.7% in Oceania to 7.6% in Europe, 9.6% in America and the Caribbean, highest in Africa (23.9%) and Asia (19.6%). Zinc is important for the function of a number of enzymes and growth hormones during pregnancy. In pregnant women, the relative zinc concentration decreases up to 35% due to the influence of hormonal changes and the transport of nutrients from mother to baby. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of giving zinc tablets to pregnant women with zinc deficiency in the third trimester on body weight and length of babies born at the Makassar City Health Center. Methods: This type of research is True Experimental with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The sample in this study was 62 samples of third trimester pregnant women, and the sampling technique used was purposive sampling. Measurement of zinc levels in third trimester pregnant women using the Elisa reader kit at the Research Laboratory of the Hasanuddin University Teaching Hospital. The research instruments were in the form of a research explanation sheet, respondent's consent sheet, respondent's checklist sheet, and the mother's zinc tablet consumption control sheet for 14 days. Results: Judging from the average value of newborns in pregnant women who did not have zinc deficiency, the average value of birth weight in pregnant women with zinc deficiency was 15.70 g/dL and 18.95 g/dL. zinc deficiency with a value (p < 0.05), while pregnant women with zinc deficiency have an average birth length of 10.00 g/dL and mothers who do not have a deficiency of 19.87 g/dL with a value (p < 0.05). So, it can be concluded that giving zinc tablets to pregnant women in the third trimester has an effect on Birth Weight (BBL) and Birth Length (PBL). Conclusion: Giving zinc tablets has an effect on increasing zinc levels in third trimester zinc deficiency pregnant women and increasing birth weight and length of the baby.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 102-105
Author(s):  
Sheida Shabanian ◽  
Abolfazl Khoshdel ◽  
Majid Dezfuli ◽  
Fatemeh Famouri

Background and aims: Preterm birth can cause high morbidity and mortality in women. Previous evidence has confirmed the association between zinc (Zn) deficiency in x women and some pregnancy complications. This study investigated the association between serum Zn concentration in pregnant women and preterm birth. Methods: This case-control study focused on evaluating 76 pregnant women with preterm birth (case group) and 62 pregnant women with term birth (control group) and was conducted in the obstetrics ward of Hajar hospital, Shahrekord, Iran in 2014. The Zn level was measured by spectrophotometry and data were analyzed by SPSS, version 15. Results: The prevalence of Zn deficiency was 95.6%. The mean of serum Zn concentration was 39.62±11.83 and 59.81±8.8 in the preterm and term delivery groups, respectively (P<0.001). Similarly, the mean of serum Zn concentrations was 43.06±15.6 and 50.46±13.8 in women with and without the rupture of pregnancy membranes, respectively (P=0.01). Based on the findings, the serum Zn concentration was not significantly associated with parity (P=0.634). Conclusion: Although a decrease in the serum Zn concentration could lead to premature rupture of membranes during pregnancy and preterm birth, it could not be considered as the main factor for preterm birth. In addition, Zn deficiency was highly prevalent in pregnant women. Therefore, nutritional interventions should be performed to prevent complications due to the deficiency of micronutrients such as Zn so that to increase health maintenance in mothers and children.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 17-20
Author(s):  
Masuda Sultana ◽  
Nasim Jahan ◽  
Nayma Sultana ◽  
Md Liakat Ali

Background: Micronutrient deficiency is a major problem in many developing countries. Micronutrient especially Zn deficiency may affect pregnancies, delivery, and outcome of pregnancy.Objectives: To study serum Zn level in full term mother and non pregnant women in order to compare with those of non pregnant women as reference value. Method: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, during the period of 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2009. A total number of 55 subjects were included in this study, among them 27 were full term delivery mothers (group B), treated as study group. Age range of full term mother was from 20-40 years. Again, 28 non pregnant women with age range from 20-30 years were taken as a control group. Statistical analysis was done by using appropriate method as applicable.Results: Mean serum Zn level were significantly lower (p<0.001) in full term pregnant mother in comparison to those of non pregnant women.Conclusions: The present study revealed a lower level of zinc in full term mother than non pregnant women. The decreased serum Zn level may be due to poor nutritional status during pregnancy as serum total protein and albumin levels were also lower in this group of subjects. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpp.v26i1-2.19960 Bangladesh J Physiol Pharmacol 2010; 26(1&2) : 17-20


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (E) ◽  
pp. 394-397
Author(s):  
Rostika Flora ◽  
Nur Alam Fajar ◽  
Fatmalina Febri ◽  
Indah Yuliana ◽  
Yuliarti Yuliarti ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Children in rural areas are susceptible to zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency in children can affect cognitive function in children. Zinc plays a role in cellular function and critical brain growth processes, including cell replication, DNA and RNA synthesis, and the release of neurotransmitters. AIM: This study aimed to analyze the condition of zinc deficiency and its relationship with the level of intelligence in children in rural areas. METHODS: The study design was cross-sectional, with a sample of 44 elementary school children aged 9–12 years taken randomly. Blood was drawn to measure serum Zn-levels, and serum Zn-levels were measured using Colorimetric Assay Kit (E-BC-K137). Zinc intake data were obtained from the food recall form, which was carried out 3 × 24 h. The level of intelligence is measured by the Culture Fair Intelligence Test method. The sample characteristics data obtained through a questionnaire. Furthermore, the data were analyzed using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: About 84.2% of children with insufficient zinc intake had low serum Zn-levels. There was a significant relationship between zinc intake and serum zinc levels (p = 0.026; PR = 4.293). Children with low serum zinc levels of 96.5% have intelligence levels below average. There was a significant relationship between serum zinc levels and intelligence level as well (p = 0.001; PR = 24,500). CONCLUSION: Zinc deficiency in children is characterized by low serum Zn-levels. Low serum Zn-level is caused by low zinc intake, thus children with low serum Zn-levels are at risk of having intelligence level below average. Therefore, health education about the importance of zinc intake in children should be given to parents, so that the incidence of zinc deficiency in children can be reduced.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 4547-4547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aasim S. Sehbai ◽  
Nouman Asif

Abstract Background: Vitamin C is an essential dietary nutrient. It is a water soluble vitamin that exists in the body primarily in the reduced form Ascorbic acid. It's deficiency leads to a disease called Scurvy which is rare in developed countries. The relationship between anemia, Iron deficiency and Vitamin C deficiency is not clear and not evidence-based although many hematologists recommend Vitamin C intake to help Iron absorption. Method: We reviewed the data from a single institution where cases of de novo anemia underwent diagnostic workup. The study was approved by the hospital IRB and it was a retrospective analysis of data from October 2007 through July 2014. In addition to checking patient's CBC, iron studies, ferritin, b12, folic acid all patients (pts) went through testing for Vitamin C, Copper and Zinc. All reference labs were send to Mayo medical laboratories for consistency and standardization. Vitamin C level was determined by a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HLPC) and samples were collected after a 12-14 hour fasting-overnight. The normal range for Vitamin C is 0.6-2.0 mg/dL. We divided patients into 5 categories Severe deficiency (<0.1 mg/dL), Moderate deficiency (0.1-0.3 mg/dL), Mild deficiency (0.4-0.6 mg/dL), Low normal or Borderline values (0.7-0.8 mg/dL) and Normal results (0.9-2.0 mg/dL). Results: Of the 482 pts with de novo anemia tested, 273 subjects were found to have a Vitamin C deficiency (56.6% of population). Of those 30 pts (10.9%) had severe Vit C deficiency, 96 (35.1%) had moderate deficiency, 84 (30.7%) mild deficiency and 63 (23%) had low normal or borderline values and 209 (43.3%) had normal results. In pts with Vitamin C deficiency, iron studies indicated a serum iron saturation below 20% (range 20-50%) in 115 out of 212 subjects tested giving an incidence of 54.2%. Pts who had Vitamin C deficiency about 212 of those pts were tested for zinc levels and 103 pts (48.5%) were found to have Zinc deficiency that's value below 0.66 mcg/ml (Normal range being 0.66-1.1 mcg/ml). Of the group with severe Vitamin C deficiency or undetectable levels (30 pts), average hemoglobin for that group was 8.8 gm/dl range being 11.3-15.5 (CI 5.5-14.9), average iron saturation was 31% range (20-50%)(CI 3-92%), average Zinc levels were 0.49 mcg/ml range 0.66-1.1 (CI 0.19-0.79) average copper value 1.26 mcg/ml range 0.75-1.45 mcg/ml (CI 0.77-1.74), average Ferritin value 1048 ng/ml range 22-322 ng/ml (CI 13.8-5621). This means that in pts with severe anemia and severe vitamin C deficiency we see a profile where 77% pts also present with Zinc deficiency, their copper values are normal, iron saturation is normal but Ferritin which is a marker of inflammation is elevated (66.6%). Taking all of Vitamin C deficiency cases in our study(#273) the average age of females was 57.35 years (CI 15-97) 67.3% of study group & average age for males was 59.61 years (CI 25-90) which is 32.7% Pts who were found to have Vitamin C deficiency were given Vitamin C tablet 500 mg orally daily and if they have Zinc deficiency also supplemented with Zinc 50 mg orally daily. We have data on 67 of those 212 pts who had significant C deficiency (severe, moderate or mild). The average improvement in Vitamin C level for the group was 0.43 mg with average hemoglobin improvement of 0.96 gm. Conclusion: Vitamin C deficiency appears to play an important role in pathogenesis of nutritional anemia and it's incidence was more common than any other identifiable cause in our group. It can present as anemia regardless of the iron status and there appears to be a very strong correlation between Vit C deficiency and Zinc deficiency in patients with anemia. It also causes an Inflammatory response with elevation of Ferritin. Diet appears to play a major role in this type of anemia regardless of the body habitus. Malabsorption of Vitamin C and Zinc can be a reason as well. It is more common in females. Patients may or may not have other signs and symptoms of scurvy but in our population gum disease, bone pain, impaired wound healing and some degree of psychosis and mood disorder (scorbutic psychosis) was common. We believe that Vitamin C Deficiency is very common and under recognized cause of anemia. The exact pathophysiology needs to be established. Further studies need to be done to validate this important clinical finding but we recommend adding a fasting Vitamin C level and Zinc level as part of de novo anemia workup. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-92
Author(s):  
Ugo Carpentieri ◽  
Leigh Smith ◽  
Charles W. Daeschner ◽  
Mary Ellen Haggard

Neutrophils can be distinguished as EA negative (EA-N) or EA positive (EA+N), according to rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes. EA- neutrophils show a bactericidal activity 50% to 70% lower than EA+ neutrophils. Thirty children with sickle cell disease were studied during steady state and crises/infections, together with matched control children. EA+ and EA- neutrophils, zinc levels in the body, and frequency of previous bacterial infection were evaluated. Sixty percent of the patients (18/30) had zinc deficiency (zinc &lt; 8.5 µg/1010 RBC): of this group, more than three fourths (14/18) had a high frequency of infections (≥3/yr) and most of those (11/14) also had an increased percentage of EA- neutrophils (80% to 85% v 35% to 45% in control subjects). Only 4/18 of patients with zinc deficiency had a low frequency of infections, and only one of these four had a higher percentage of EA- neutrophils. In patients with normal zinc levels (12/30 or 40%), only three had frequent infections, but only one of these had an increased percentage of EA- neutrophils. The number of EA+ neutrophils increased after stimulation with epinephrine or during crises/infections. In six patients with more pronounced zinc deficiency and more severe crisis/infection, a delay in the increase of EA+ neutrophils occurred and was corrected by treatment. These findings suggest that a higher percentage of neutrophils with less bactericidal activity in many children with sickle cell disease and zinc deficiency may be a factor in the higher incidence of infections noted in these patients, and zinc might play a role in the formation, release, and activity of neutrophils.


2011 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 398-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Ortega ◽  
E. Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽  
A. Aparicio ◽  
A. I. Jiménez ◽  
A. M. López-Sobaler ◽  
...  

Zn plays a key role in the synthesis and action of insulin. The aim of the present work was to determine whether a poorer Zn status was associated with insulin resistance in a group of 357 Spanish schoolchildren. Zn intake was determined by using a 3 d food record (i.e. Sunday to Tuesday). The body weight, height and waist and hip circumferences of all subjects were recorded and fasting plasma glucose, insulin and Zn concentrations were determined. Insulin resistance was determined using the homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA) marker. Children (11·5 %) with Zn deficiency (serum Zn concentration < 10·7 μmol/l) had higher HOMA values than those with a more satisfactory Zn status (1·73 (sd0·93)) compared with 1·38 (sd0·90;P < 0·05). An inverse correlation was found between the HOMA value and the serum Zn concentration (r− 0·149,P < 0·05). The risk of having a greater insulin resistance value (HOMA greater than the 75th percentile) increased with age (OR 1·438; 95 % CI 1·021, 2·027) and BMI (OR 1·448; 95 % CI 1·294, 1·619) and decreased as Zn serum levels increased (OR 0·908; 95 % CI 0·835, 0·987;P < 0·001). Moreover, an inverse relationship was observed between HOMA values and Zn dietary density (r− 0·122), and the Zn intakes of male children with a HOMA value of >3·16 made a significantly smaller contribution to the coverage of those recommended (59·7 (sd14·7) %) than observed in children with lower HOMA values (73·6 (sd18·2) %;P < 0·05). Taking into account that Zn intake was below than that recommended in 89·4 % of the children, it would appear that increasing the intake of Zn could improve the health and nutritional status of these children, and thus contribute to diminish problems of insulin resistance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adamu Belay ◽  
Dawd Gashu ◽  
Edward J. M. Joy ◽  
R. Murray Lark ◽  
Christopher Chagumaira ◽  
...  

AbstractZinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient for human health. In Ethiopia, a high prevalence of Zn deficiency has been reported. To explore demographic variation and spatial dependencies in the Zn status of the Ethiopian population, we analyzed archived serum samples (n = 3373) from the 2015 Ethiopian National Micronutrient Survey (ENMS), a cross-sectional survey of young children, school-age children, women of reproductive age (WRA) and men conducted in all 9 regions and two city administration of Ethiopia. Serum Zn concentrations, measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICPMS), were compared to thresholds based on age, sex, fasting status, and time of blood collection, after adjusting for inflammation status. Median serum Zn concentration of the population was 57.5 μg dL−1. Overall, it is estimated that 72% of the population was Zn deficient, with high prevalence in all demographic groups. Spatial statistical analysis showed that there was spatial dependence in Zn status of WRA at distances of up to 45 km. Zinc deficiency is spatially dependent over short distances. Although WRA in most areas are likely to be Zn deficient, prevalence of deficiency varies at regional scale and between rural and urban inhabitants, suggesting there is scope to explore drivers of this variation, prioritize nutritional interventions, and to design more representative surveillance programs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Soodeh Razeghi Jahromi ◽  
Hedieh Moradi Tabriz ◽  
Mansoureh Togha ◽  
Shadi Ariyanfar ◽  
Zeinab Ghorbani ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Without an adequate immune response, SARS-CoV2 virus can simply spread throughout the body of the host. Two of the well-known immunonutrients are selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn). Se and Zn deficiency might lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, and viral entry into the cells by decreasing ACE-2 expression; three factors that are proposed to be involved in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Thus, in the current study we aimed at evaluating the correlation between serum Se and Zn status and COVID-19 severity. Methods Eighty-four COVID-19 patients were enrolled in this observational study. Patients were diagnosed based on an infectious disease specialist diagnosis, using WHO interim guidance and the recommendations of the Iranian National Committee of Covid-19. The patients with acute respiratory tract infection symptoms were checked for compatibility of chest computed tomography (CT) scan results with that of Covid-19 and Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for corona virus infection. The severity of Covid-19 was categorized into three groups (mild, moderate, and severe) using CDC criteria. Serum Zn and Se level of all subjects was measured. The severity of the disease was determined only once at the onset of disease. Results According to the results of linear regression test, there was a significant association between Zn and Se level and COVID-19 severity (β = − 0.28, P-value = 0.01 for Se; β = − 0.26, P-value = 0.02). However the significance disappeared after adjusting for confounding factors. Spearman correlation analysis showed a significant negative association between serum Zn, Se and CRP level (r = − 0.35, P-value = 0.001 for Se; r = − 0.41, P-value < 0.001 for Zn). Conclusion Results suggest that increasing levels of Se and Zn were accompanied by a decrease in serum CRP level. However, the significant association between Se, Zn, and disease severity was lost after adjusting for confounding factors.


Anemia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed El Missiry ◽  
Mohamed Hamed Hussein ◽  
Sadaf Khalid ◽  
Naila Yaqub ◽  
Sarah Khan ◽  
...  

Zinc (Zn) is essential for appropriate growth and proper immune function, both of which may be impaired in thalassemia children. Factors that can affect serum Zn levels in these patients may be related to their disease or treatment or nutritional causes. We assessed the serum Zn levels of children with thalassemia paired with a sibling. Zn levels were obtained from 30 children in Islamabad, Pakistan. Serum Zn levels and anthropometric data measures were compared among siblings. Thalassemia patients’ median age was 4.5 years (range 1–10.6 years) and siblings was 7.8 years (range 1.1–17 years). The median serum Zn levels for both groups were within normal range: 100 μg/dL (10 μg/dL–297 μg/dL) for patients and 92 μg/dL (13 μg/dL–212 μg/dL) for siblings. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Patients’ serum Zn values correlated positively with their corresponding siblings (r=0.635,P<0.001). There were no correlations between patients’ Zn levels, height for age Z-scores, serum ferritin levels, chelation, or blood counts (including both total leukocyte and absolute lymphocyte counts). Patients’ serum Zn values correlated with their siblings’ values. In this study, patients with thalassemia do not seem to have disease-related Zn deficiency.


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