Aims: To assess the serum zinc levels in children aged 2 months to 5 years admitted with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections and to study the association between low zinc levels and other known risk factors LRTI. Material and Method: This prospective, observational study enrolled 200 children in age group of 2 months to 5 years admitted with acute LRTI. Serum Zinc level were measured and its association was seen with other risk factors of LRTI. Results: Mean serum zinc level of study population was 57.9±29.2 microgram/dL. There was significant difference in zinc level depending on severity of pneumonia, nutritional status, anemia, clinical vitamin A deficiency, breast feed infants and birth weight (p<0.05). Conclusion: Low serum level of zinc were seen in severe pneumonia cases. Serum zinc levels were found to be lower in risk factors of LRTI like poor nutritional status, anemia, vitamin A deficiency, low birth weight and formula fed patients. Zinc supplementation is required in LRTI patients especially those with the above mentioned risk factors.
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