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Volume 13 Issue 6 (June) 2024

Original Articles

Micronutrient Deficiencies and Diarrheal Diseases: Evaluating Zinc and Copper Levels in Children
Khushbu Rani, Manisha Kumari, Uday Kumar

Diarrhea is a leading cause of child mortality in developing countries, responsible for an estimated 2.5 million deaths annually. In India, it accounts for 13% of all deaths in children under five, with approximately 300,000 fatalities each year. This study aimed to evaluate the serum levels of zinc and copper in children suffering from diarrhea and explore their roles in the condition's severity and duration. Zinc, known for enhancing immune response and intestinal health, and copper, an important element in various enzymatic processes, were measured in 25 children aged 6 months to 5 years with acute, persistent, or chronic diarrhea, and compared to 25 healthy controls. The study found significantly lower serum zinc (39.26 ± 12.18 µg/dl) and copper levels (68.60 ± 14.34 µg/dl) in children with diarrhea compared to healthy controls (zinc: 78.60 ± 11.63 µg/dl; copper: 99.26 ± 15.62 µg/dl), with p-values < 0.001 for both. These deficiencies correlated with longer diarrhea duration and higher stool frequency, particularly in male patients. Zinc supplementation showed substantial benefits, reducing the severity and duration of diarrhea and the likelihood of future episodes. These findings underscore the importance of zinc in diarrhea management and support its use in treatment protocols. Further studies with larger sample sizes and additional micronutrient assessments are recommended to enhance understanding and develop comprehensive strategies to combat pediatric diarrhea, ultimately reducing the global health and economic burden, particularly in developing nations like India.

 
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