Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2025
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Childhood asthma biomarkers including zinc: An exploratory cross-sectional study
Hoda Atef Abdelsattar Ibrahim1,2, Mona Mohsen3, Boles Salep Aziz Hanna3
1Pediatric Clinical Nutrition Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 12613, Egypt.
Insights
Serum zinc levels did not significantly differ between children with asthma and healthy children. However, serum ferritin and immunoglobulin E levels were higher in asthmatic children, suggesting ferritin may indicate asthma control.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Childhood bronchial asthma (BA) is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease.
- Nutritional status, particularly zinc levels, may influence allergic conditions like asthma.
- Investigating biomarkers for asthma management is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare serum zinc levels in children diagnosed with bronchial asthma versus healthy controls.
- To assess serum ferritin, iron, hemoglobin (Hb), and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in asthmatic children.
- To explore potential correlations between these markers and asthma severity.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 40 children with BA and 21 healthy children.
- Serum zinc, ferritin, iron, Hb, and IgE levels were measured.
- Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman's rank correlation.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in serum zinc levels was found between asthmatic and healthy children (P=0.115).
- Asthmatic children exhibited significantly higher serum ferritin (P=0.006) and IgE (P=0.001) levels.
- Asthma severity did not correlate significantly with serum ferritin or IgE levels.
Conclusions:
- Serum zinc levels do not appear to be a distinguishing factor between asthmatic and healthy children.
- Elevated serum ferritin may serve as a potential indicator for asthma control in children.
- Serum IgE levels were not found to be reliable markers for asthma severity in this cohort.
Background:
Childhood bronchial asthma (BA) is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease. Nutritional conditions, including zinc deficiency, can affect such allergic disorders.
Aim:
To outline the difference in serum zinc levels between asthmatic children and healthy controls.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was carried out at Children's Hospital, Cairo University, investigating serum zinc levels in children with BA (n = 40) and healthy children (n = 21). Other markers included serum ferritin, iron, hemoglobin (Hb), and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Independent t-tests and Mann-Whinny tests were used for comparisons. The Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to compare serum ferritin and IgE levels with regard to asthma severity. Spearman's rank correlation was performed to explore the relationship between serum ferritin levels and both iron and Hb levels in asthmatic children.
Results:
Children with BA had higher levels of zinc, yet the difference was not significant (P = 0.115). Serum ferritin and IgE levels were significantly higher in asthmatic children (P = 0.006 and 0.001, respectively), yet their levels did not differ significantly by severity (P = 0.623 and 0.126, respectively). There was a nonsignificant weak correlation between serum ferritin levels and both serum iron and Hb levels.
Conclusion:
Serum zinc levels do not seem to differ between asthmatic children and healthy children. Serum ferritin levels may be a marker of asthma control. Serum IgE levels are not markers of asthma severity.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History