الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Background: Acute lower respiratory tract infections remains a leading cause of death among infants and young children in low income countries. Zinc deficiency is associated with an increased risk of acute lower respiratory tract infections, adverse effects on the structure and function of the respiratory tract, and impaired immune function. Aim of the Work: The aim of our study is to assess zinc status in children suffering from acute lower respiratory tract infection and to evaluate the relationship of zinc status to the severity of lower respiratory tract infections. Methods: seventy-five children with acute lower respiratory tract infection and seventy-five age-matched controls were enrolled. All of them were subjected to complete blood picture, CRP and serum Zinc level. Results: the mean serum zinc level among cases was lower than controls which significantly different ( p=0.011). Also was statistically different with prescence of fever (p-value<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between cases regarding other symptoms(cough ,respiratory distress)or recurrence and also no statistically significant difference as regards TLC and different types of feeding. Conclusion: from our study we conclude that a low serum zinc level was found in children with lower respiratory tract infections. Key Words: Zinc, lower respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, Children. |