Serum zinc concentrations in children with diarrhea / 中国小儿急救医学

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare serum zinc and immunoglobulin levels between young children with diarrhea and healthy children at the same age,and discuss the correlation between serum zinc level and the disease course and immune level of diarrhea. Methods This study was carried out at the Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University between December 2012 and December 2013. A total of 150 young children with diarrhea and 427 healthy children (control group) were included,and the young children with diarrhea were divided into acute diarrhea group(n=90) and chronic diarrhea group(n=60).Zinc levels for all subjects were measured using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer.Results Mean serum zinc levels in the acute diarrhea group and chronic diarrhea group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01).There was no significant difference in serum zinc levels between the acute diarrhea group and chronic diarrhea group(P>0.05).The immunoglobulin IgA,IgM and IgG in the acute diarrhea group and chronic diarrhea group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P <0.01),and the immunoglobulin IgA,IgM and IgG in the chronic diarrhea group were significantly lower than those in the acute diarrhea group(P < 0.05). There were no significant correlations between serum zinc levels and immunoglobulin levels in acute diarrhea group and chronic diarrhea group(P>0.05).Conclusion Serum zinc and immunoglobulin levels in young children with diarrhea were significantly lower than those of the same age healthy children,there was no correlation between serum zinc level and immunoglobulin level in young children with diarrhea.