Study of Estimation of Serum Zinc Levels in Breast Feeding Infants, Aged between (6 to 12 Months) of North Karnataka Amarkhed Preeti1, Hatti Sachin2,*, Bellad Roopa3 1Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, KBNIMS, Gulbarga-585101 2Senior Resident, Department of Paediatrics, KBNIMS, Gulbarga-585101 3Professor, Department of Paediatrics, JNMC, Belgaum *Corresponding Author: Dr. Sachin Hatti, Senior Resident, Department of Paediatrics, KBNIMS, Gulbarga-585101. e-mail:
Online published on 4 April, 2020. Abstract Background Malnutrition especially during the early few years of life predisposes to micronutrient deficiencies such as iron and zinc. 1Approximately 30% to 50% of children in developing countries are at high risk for malnutrition and associated illness2and have low serum and plasma levels of zinc. Aims of the Study To study the effect of zinc supplementation on serum zinc levels among healthy breast fed babies aged between 6 months to 12 months. Materials and Method The present study was a randomized controlled trial from May 2016 to September 2017 with both control and interventional group having 100 patients. A total of three follow ups (6, 9 and 12 months) were performed during the study period and mean serum zinc levels were measured. Results A total of 200 babies were enrolled in the study. First and second follow up visits were done in 186 and 172 babies respectively. 168 babies completed all the three follow-up visits of which, 53.6% (90) and 46.3% (78) belonged to the interventional and control groups respectively. The mean serum Zn level of the interventional group was higher 198.9 ± 47.19 compared to the controls 133.90 ± 68.65 highly significant statistically with an effectsize was 65.025 (CI 95%, 21.38 to 108.66, p = 0.005). Conclusion The mean serum zinc levels are significantly higher in children with who were given zinc supplement. Top Keywords Serum zinc, Breast feeding, Malnutrition, North Karnataka. Top |