Relationship Between Serum Zinc Levels And Socio-Demographic Features In Nigerian Children With Acute Lower Respiratory Infections

Background: Acute Lower Respiratory Infections (ALRI) are a major cause of Paediatric morbidity for which several risk factors have been identified. Among these factors are socio-demographic and nutritional factors including micronutrients such as zinc and Vitamin A. The current study was carried out in Ilorin, Nigeria to determine the relationship between serum zinc levels and some socio-demographic characteristics in children with ALRI. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving children aged two months up to 60 months with ALRI. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained via a semi-structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for determining the serum zinc level. The serum zinc was analyzed with a Jenway™ spectrophotometer after initial preparation with the QuantiChrom™ zinc assay kit. The data collected was analysed with SPSS 16 software package. Results: Of the 120 children recruited, 73(60.8%) were males and 47(39.2%) females. The mean (SD) age of the children with ALRI was 20.8(17.6) months. Nine (7.5%) children had bronchiolitis, 16(13.3%) had lobar pneumonia and 95(79.2%) bronchopneumonia. Children from monogamous families had mean (SD) serum zinc level of 19.6(12.2) µg/dl which was significantly higher than the corresponding value of 13.1(7.7) µg/dl recorded in those from polygamous homes, p=0.031. After a stepwise linear regression analysis, the family type remained significant with an F value of 4.244; p=0.042; 95%C.I.(-12.4 - -0.3). Conclusion: Children with ALRI from polygamous homes have low serum zinc levels. The family type is a predictor of serum zinc level in children with ALRI. Abbreviations: EPU - Emergency Paediatric Unit; UITH - University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, ALRI - acute lower respiratory infections, WHO - World Health Organisation