Analysis of serum zinc level in patients with severe trauma

Zinc plays a role in immune function. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of zinc levels in patients with severe trauma by examining the association between serum zinc levels and infectious complications. Inclusion criteria were hospitalization of 2 weeks or more; Abbreviated Injury Scale score of 3 or more; zinc levels measured on admission and at 2 weeks later. Among the 141 included patients on admission, 136 (96.5%) had zinc deficiency, whereas at two weeks later, serum zinc levels increased significantly, with the number of patients with zinc deficiency decreasing to 31 (22.0%). Between the zinc-deficient group and zinc-sufficient group stratified by serum zinc level at two weeks, there were significant differences in lengths of ICU stay and mechanical ventilation, the complication of infection, and positive blood cultures. Logistic regression showed that zinc level at two weeks after admission were significantly associated with the complication of infection (p = 0.03). In addition, age, initial nutrition, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, probability of survival, serum phosphate on admission were highly associated with zinc deficiency at two weeks after admission by logistic regression. In the patients with risk factors on admission, zinc supplementation started on the first day of hospitalization might be beneficial.