Zinc Deficiency in Children
Zinc is the second most abundantly found trace element in the body after iron.It is an essential micronutrient important for growth and normal function of the immune system.Zinc deficiency is prevalent in many areas of the world, especially in developing countries and is a diagnostically challenging condition. It may occur due to inadequate dietary intake, increased requirements, malabsorption, increased losses and impaired utilization but inadequate dietary intake of absorbable zinc remains the primary cause of zinc deficiency in most situations. Zinc deficiency affects millions of children and is associated with increased risk for impaired linear growth (stunting) hypogonadism in males, lack of sexual development in females, rough skin, taste abnormalities, poor appetite, impaired immune function and increased risk for diarrhea and respiratory illness such as pneumonia. It contributes to significant diarrhea and pneumonia related morbidity and mortality among young children. Researchers suggest that zinc supplementation decreases the incidence and severity of diarrhea and pneumonia in children. The objective of this paper is to provide a current overview of the significance of the zinc in children's health, zinc requirement, causes of zinc deficiency in children, evaluation of zinc status,clinical manifestations of zinc deficiency with an emphasis on malnutrition, diarrhea, pneumonia, stunting and impaired wound healing.