Zinc levels in HIV-positive children at the University of Nigeria teaching hospital
Background: Zinc is an abundant trace element in the body involved in many physiological processes. Its deficiency has been described in HIV-infected children, especially in advancing illness. This study, therefore, seeks to assess zinc levels in HIV-positive children attending the HIV clinic at Uni...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Nigerian Journal of Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.njmonline.org/article.asp?issn=1115-2613;year=2023;volume=32;issue=4;spage=356;epage=359;aulast=Chukwu |
| _version_ | 1797226241070202880 |
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| author | Uchenna Kennedy Chukwu Ifeoma I Emodi Ngozi Ibeziako Anthony N Ikefuna Isaac N Asinobi Kenechukwu K Iloh Kosisochukwu E Udeogu Chibuebem J Chukwu |
| author_facet | Uchenna Kennedy Chukwu Ifeoma I Emodi Ngozi Ibeziako Anthony N Ikefuna Isaac N Asinobi Kenechukwu K Iloh Kosisochukwu E Udeogu Chibuebem J Chukwu |
| author_sort | Uchenna Kennedy Chukwu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Zinc is an abundant trace element in the body involved in many physiological processes. Its deficiency has been described in HIV-infected children, especially in advancing illness. This study, therefore, seeks to assess zinc levels in HIV-positive children attending the HIV clinic at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH). Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study among HIV-positive children aged 5–60 months attending the HIV clinic at UNTH. A 100 participants were enrolled from August 2013 to May 2014. Data were obtained using a pro forma developed by researchers, and blood samples were collected and analysed using an absorption spectrophotometer. Serum zinc level deficiency was defined as the values <80 μg/dL. Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS version 26. Results: Most participants were males (53.0%). Their mean age was 47 months (standard deviation = 15.7). The median serum zinc level was 55.5 μg/dL (IQR = 35.0–84.8). The majority of the participant (72%) had zinc deficiency. There was a statistically significant relationship between serum zinc level and participants' socioeconomic status (P < 0.05) – higher socioeconomic status was associated with higher zinc levels. Conclusion: The study showed a high prevalence of zinc deficiency in children living with HIV, with a significant relationship between serum zinc level and the participants' socioeconomic status. There is a need for zinc supplementation for HIV children, especially the indigent ones. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T14:21:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ad1bf00a5a284a8d9afb3c965f1cc46e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1115-2613 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T14:21:46Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nigerian Journal of Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-ad1bf00a5a284a8d9afb3c965f1cc46e2024-04-03T06:28:14ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsNigerian Journal of Medicine1115-26132023-01-0132435635910.4103/NJM.NJM_33_23Zinc levels in HIV-positive children at the University of Nigeria teaching hospitalUchenna Kennedy ChukwuIfeoma I EmodiNgozi IbeziakoAnthony N IkefunaIsaac N AsinobiKenechukwu K IlohKosisochukwu E UdeoguChibuebem J ChukwuBackground: Zinc is an abundant trace element in the body involved in many physiological processes. Its deficiency has been described in HIV-infected children, especially in advancing illness. This study, therefore, seeks to assess zinc levels in HIV-positive children attending the HIV clinic at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH). Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study among HIV-positive children aged 5–60 months attending the HIV clinic at UNTH. A 100 participants were enrolled from August 2013 to May 2014. Data were obtained using a pro forma developed by researchers, and blood samples were collected and analysed using an absorption spectrophotometer. Serum zinc level deficiency was defined as the values <80 μg/dL. Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS version 26. Results: Most participants were males (53.0%). Their mean age was 47 months (standard deviation = 15.7). The median serum zinc level was 55.5 μg/dL (IQR = 35.0–84.8). The majority of the participant (72%) had zinc deficiency. There was a statistically significant relationship between serum zinc level and participants' socioeconomic status (P < 0.05) – higher socioeconomic status was associated with higher zinc levels. Conclusion: The study showed a high prevalence of zinc deficiency in children living with HIV, with a significant relationship between serum zinc level and the participants' socioeconomic status. There is a need for zinc supplementation for HIV children, especially the indigent ones.http://www.njmonline.org/article.asp?issn=1115-2613;year=2023;volume=32;issue=4;spage=356;epage=359;aulast=Chukwuchildrenhivzinc |
| spellingShingle | Uchenna Kennedy Chukwu Ifeoma I Emodi Ngozi Ibeziako Anthony N Ikefuna Isaac N Asinobi Kenechukwu K Iloh Kosisochukwu E Udeogu Chibuebem J Chukwu Zinc levels in HIV-positive children at the University of Nigeria teaching hospital Nigerian Journal of Medicine children hiv zinc |
| title | Zinc levels in HIV-positive children at the University of Nigeria teaching hospital |
| title_full | Zinc levels in HIV-positive children at the University of Nigeria teaching hospital |
| title_fullStr | Zinc levels in HIV-positive children at the University of Nigeria teaching hospital |
| title_full_unstemmed | Zinc levels in HIV-positive children at the University of Nigeria teaching hospital |
| title_short | Zinc levels in HIV-positive children at the University of Nigeria teaching hospital |
| title_sort | zinc levels in hiv positive children at the university of nigeria teaching hospital |
| topic | children hiv zinc |
| url | http://www.njmonline.org/article.asp?issn=1115-2613;year=2023;volume=32;issue=4;spage=356;epage=359;aulast=Chukwu |
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