KNOW THE EFFECT OF ZINC SUPPLEMENT TAKEN ON REGULAR BASES IN CHILDREN SUDDEN RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

Background: In developing world, zinc deficiency is usual among children. Mucosa, immune system and cellular metabolism find important role of zinc in them. Objective: This study aims to know the effect of zinc supplement taken on regular bases in children sudden respiratory infections. Design of study: It was a Quasi experimental study. Place and duration: This study was done in Services Hospital Lahore from Feb, 2018 to Jan 2019. Patients and Methods: For study, 220 children ranging from 6 months up to year of age were selected. These children were with complain of cough and fever. For the period of one year, these children are followed up. Days and episodes number with critical lower respiratory infection as cough, and 1: increased respiratory rate 2: lower chest in drawing existence or temperature > 101F were calculated. There were two groups, A and B in which patients were divided. In each group, there were 110 patients. To groups A patient, zinc supplement was given for 3 months with 10mg/day dosage oral. Oral zinc supplements were not given to group B patients. For critical respiratory infections, children in both groups were given ordinary treatment in hospital. A child having medium infection was treated at home with anti-biotic and regular follow up for 3 days. In both groups, episodes number of severe respiratory tract infection in one year was calculated and then compared. Illness duration and death race was also determined. Result: In group A, mean illness duration was 3.4+_0.113 days. In group B, 5.1+_0.254 days was mean illness duration. In group A, 34 were total number of episodes of respiratory tract infection. Severe respiratory infection had 78 episodes in group B. recovery rate of patients was 100%. Conclusion: Number of episodes of respiratory tract infection were decreased in children taking oral zinc supplements on regular basis and it also showed decline in illness duration. Keywords: Effect, zinc supplement, regular bases, children, sudden respiratory infections