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Serum level of zinc in asthmatic patients: a case-control study

G Khanbabaee1, A Omidian2, F Imanzadeh3

  • 1Department of Pediatric Respiratory Diseases, Mofid Children's Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Allergologia Et Immunopathologia
|January 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Children with asthma frequently have low serum zinc levels (hypozincemia), which are linked to increased asthma severity. Zinc level evaluation and dietary supplementation are recommended for asthmatic children with hypozincemia.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Nutritional Immunology

Background:

  • Hypozincemia (low serum zinc) is linked to impaired growth and immune function.
  • Hypozincemia is associated with a higher frequency of asthma exacerbations in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate serum zinc levels in pediatric asthma patients.
  • To compare zinc levels between asthmatic children and a healthy control group.

Main Methods:

  • Serum zinc levels were measured in 100 children with asthma.
  • A control group of healthy children was used for comparison.

Main Results:

  • Asthmatic children exhibited significantly lower mean serum zinc levels (70.5±22.6 μg/dL) compared to controls (80.9±16.9 μg/dL).
  • Hypozincemia was diagnosed in 42% of asthmatic children versus 12% in the control group (p<0.001).
  • A significant correlation was observed between lower zinc levels and increased asthma severity (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

  • The high prevalence of hypozincemia in pediatric asthma warrants routine serum zinc level assessment.
  • Zinc supplementation may be beneficial for asthmatic children diagnosed with hypozincemia.
Abstract

Keywords:
AsthmaChildrenZinc

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