Correlation of Serum zinc level with severity of Diarrhea in children under 16 Years of Age: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Acute diarrhea is one of the commonest cause of hospitalization in children and it can vary from self limiting course to severe diarrhea requiring hospitalization and can cause severe morbidity and occasionally mortality if not treated accordingly. Zinc deficiency can cause impaired immunity thereby increasing the infections including acute diarrhea. It is thus biologically plausible that zinc deficiency may increase the incidence and duration of acute diarrhea in children. WHO has recommended supplementation of zinc for each episode of diarrhea irrespective of zinc status of the child. Zinc and its association with diarrhea in school going children (5 -16yrs) has not been established. In this study, we attempted to analyse if zinc has its role in this age group in causing diarrhea. AIM: To study the correlation between serum zinc level and severity of diarrhea in children of age 6 months-16 years. 450 children were assessed for eligibility and 400 met the inclusion criteria who were studied. Results: Mean serum zinc levels and zinc deficiency were not associated with severity of diarrhea, severity of dehydration or length of stay in hospital. Zinc levels were lowest in upper lower socio-economic status (SES).