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Plasma vitamin A, zinc and selenium concentrations in children with acute and persistent diarrhoea
S Chaudhary1, M Verma, V Dhawan
1Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Insights
Children with persistent and acute diarrhea show lower levels of plasma zinc and vitamin A. Persistent diarrhea had a more significant reduction in plasma zinc, indicating a need for nutritional management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical Micronutrient Research
Background:
- Diarrheal diseases are a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality globally.
- Nutritional deficiencies, particularly of micronutrients like zinc and vitamin A, can exacerbate diarrhea and impair recovery.
- Understanding the specific micronutrient status in different types of childhood diarrhea is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare plasma concentrations of zinc, selenium, and vitamin A in children with persistent diarrhea (PD) and acute diarrhea (AD).
- To assess the relationship between these micronutrient levels and the type and severity of diarrhea in children.
- To inform nutritional interventions for children suffering from diarrheal diseases.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing 25 children with PD and 25 with AD to 25 age-matched healthy controls.
- Measurement of plasma zinc concentrations (PZC), plasma retinol concentrations (PRC), and plasma selenium concentrations (PSC).
- Statistical analysis to determine significant differences between groups (p < 0.05).
Main Results:
- Children with PD had significantly lower plasma retinol concentrations (PRC) and plasma zinc concentrations (PZC).
- Children with AD also showed significantly reduced PZC, with a greater reduction observed in PD compared to AD.
- No significant difference in plasma selenium concentrations (PSC) was found between diarrheal groups and controls.
Conclusions:
- Diarrhea in children is associated with deficiencies in vitamin A and zinc.
- Plasma zinc levels are significantly depleted in both acute and persistent diarrhea, more so in persistent cases.
- These findings highlight the importance of assessing and managing vitamin A and zinc status in pediatric diarrheal illnesses for improved nutritional outcomes.
Abstract:
Plasma zinc, selenium, and vitamin A concentrations in 25 children with persistent diarrhoea (PD) and acute diarrhoea (AD) were determined and compared with 25 age-matched control children. Plasma retinol concentrations (PRC) and plasma zinc concentrations (PZC) (3.92 micrograms/dL and 79.4 micrograms/dL respectively) were found to be significantly lower (p < 0.05) in children with PD. PZCs were also significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in children with AD. However, reduction in PZC was more in PD than that in AD. There was no significant difference in PSC in children with either types of diarrhoea as compared with the control group. The results of the study showed that there was deficiency of vitamin A and zinc in diarrhoeas which needs to be correlated for proper nutritional management.