THE SERUM LEVELS OF IRON, ZINC, CALCIUM AND SELENIUM IN CHILDREN WITH PICA

Background & Objectives: The present observational case and control study was done to seek the relation between pica and the serum Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Calcium (Ca) and Selenium (Se) levels in children, while controlling for the confounding effect of hemoglobin levels. Material & Methods: Forty children with pica between 1 to 5 Years of age were studied (Pica Group). Eighty children within same age range and gender distribution without pica were taken as control (Control group). Each group was further stratified into hemoglobin level <9 gm/dl and ≥9 gm/dl respectively, to control for the confounding effect of iron deficiency anemia. The Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Calcium (Ca) and Selenium (Se) levels in the serum were measured. Results: The plasma levels of iron and zinc in children with pica was significantly lower (P<0.001) than the control group. The children in Anemic pica group had low levels of mean plasma zinc level than the Anemic control group (P<0.001). Likewise, the children in Nonanemic pica group had low levels of mean plasma zinc level than the NonAnemic control group (P