Abstract
Asthma is one of the most common chronic disorders among children. Zinc (Zn) is an essential dietary antioxidant and may have a special role in assisting the airways of asthmatic subjects. The primary objective of this study was to measure serum Zn levels among asthmatic school children and to compare this to the serum Zn level in non-asthmatic children. The secondary objective was to investigate the relationship between Zn levels and the degree of asthma control. A cross-sectional study following forty asthmatic children and forty matched non-asthmatic children of both genders was conducted. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI), BMI Z-scores, serum Zn, hemoglobin, total protein, and albumin concentrations were measured in both groups. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and dosage of inhaled steroids were measured in asthmatic school children. The results show the mean Zn level among asthmatic children was 12.78 ± 1.8 μmol/L. Hypozincemia was detected in four asthmatic children. Asthma and control groups were matched in age, gender, and BMI Z score (p > 0.05). No significant difference was observed in Zn levels, hemoglobin, albumin, and total protein between both groups (p > 0.05). Among asthmatics, Zn levels were not significantly associated with the degree of asthma control (well controlled, mean Zn = 12.9 ± 1.5, partially controlled, mean Zn = 11.9 ± 1.6, and uncontrolled, mean Zn = 3.62 ± 2.2) (p = 0.053). The Zn level was not correlated with the FEV1 Z score. There was no significant association between Zn level and the dosage of inhaled steroids or IgE concentrations (p > 0.05). The findings show that Zn may not play a major role in the degree of asthma control. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results.
Highlights
Asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood, and the prevalence has increased considerably in recent decades [1,2]
Asthmatic and non-asthmatic groups were matched for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) Z score (p > 0.05)
No significant difference was observed in Zn levels, albumin and total protein between both groups (p > 0.05)
Summary
Asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood, and the prevalence has increased considerably in recent decades [1,2]. The ultimate goal of asthma management is to control the disease in terms of symptoms, pulmonary function, preventing asthma exacerbations and avoiding adverse effects from asthma medications. The main controller medications are inhaled corticosteroids that switch off the inflammation of asthmatic airways [3,4]. Zinc (Zn) is a trace mineral involved in many functions in the body [5]. An essential dietary metal, plays special roles in the conducting airways and contributes partly to the structure and function of many biological enzymes. It regulates ion transporters relevant to pulmonary diseases [6,7,8,9]
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