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Prolonged depression of serum zinc concentrations in children following post-measles diarrhoea
Insights
Children with diarrhea following measles show prolonged low serum zinc levels. In contrast, children with diarrhea alone experienced improved zinc levels during recovery, highlighting the impact of measles on zinc status.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Immunology
Background:
- Zinc deficiency is a global health concern, particularly in children.
- Diarrhea and measles are common childhood illnesses that can affect nutritional status.
- Previous research suggests a link between zinc levels and infectious diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum zinc levels in children with diarrhea, specifically comparing those with recent measles infection to those without.
- To understand the impact of post-measles diarrhea on zinc status in young children.
Main Methods:
- Serum zinc concentrations were measured in three groups of children aged 6 months to 6 years.
- Group I: Children with diarrhea and a history of measles within two weeks.
- Group II: Children with diarrhea only.
- Group III: Healthy children (controls).
Main Results:
- Children with post-measles diarrhea (Group I) exhibited significantly lower serum zinc concentrations compared to controls.
- Five out of 16 children in Group I had serum zinc levels below 5 mumol/l, a threshold not observed in Group II.
- Serum zinc levels in children with diarrhea only (Group II) significantly increased during recovery compared to the acute phase (P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Post-measles diarrhea is associated with a prolonged depression of serum zinc levels in children.
- Diarrhea alone, without a preceding measles infection, does not lead to the same prolonged zinc depletion.
- These findings underscore the importance of monitoring zinc status in children recovering from measles and diarrhea.
Abstract:
Serum zinc levels were measured in three groups of children aged 6 months to 6 years. In group I, there were 25 children with diarrhoea, who had a history of measles within the 2 weeks preceding the zinc level tests (post-measles diarrhoea); in group II there were 17 children who had diarrhoea only; and in group III there were 20 children who were apparently healthy and had neither diarrhoea nor measles (controls). Serum zinc concentrations of less than 5 mumol/l were observed in 5 out of 16 children in group I, but none of the children in group II had such low levels. The serum zinc level in group II rose significantly during the recovery stage compared to the acute stage (P less than 0.01). Children with post-measles diarrhoea showed a continued and prolonged depression of serum zinc levels.