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Serum zinc levels amongst under-five children with acute diarrhoea and bacterial pathogens

Oyetundun Fausat Afolabi1, Aishat Oluwatoyin Saka2, Ayodele Ojuawo2

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Bwari General Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria.

The Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal
|September 29, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Bacterial infections are a major cause of acute diarrhea in Nigerian children. This study found lower serum zinc levels and higher zinc deficiency in children with diarrhea, with levels varying by bacterial type.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Acute diarrhea is a leading cause of illness and death in children under five globally.
  • There are conflicting findings on the effectiveness of zinc supplementation for diarrhea caused by different pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of bacterial causes of acute diarrhea in Nigerian children.
  • To compare serum zinc levels between children with acute diarrhea and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • 100 children (2-59 months) with acute diarrhea and 100 healthy controls were recruited in Nigeria.
  • Stool samples were analyzed for bacterial pathogens using culture techniques.
  • Serum zinc levels were measured using a colorimetric method.

Main Results:

  • Bacteria were identified in 73% of children with diarrhea versus 6% of controls.
  • Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. were the most common bacteria found.
  • Children with diarrhea had significantly lower mean serum zinc levels (65.3 μg/dl) compared to controls (69.0 μg/dl).
  • Zinc deficiency was more prevalent in children with diarrhea (47%) than in controls (32%).
  • Serum zinc levels varied significantly among different bacterial isolates.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial pathogens are a significant cause of acute diarrhea in Nigerian children under five.
  • High prevalence of zinc deficiency was observed in the study population.
  • Serum zinc levels differ based on the specific bacteria causing the diarrhea.
Abstract

Keywords:
Acute diarrhoeabacterial pathogenchildrenzinc

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