Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: Iron and zinc deficiencies are still the most common nutritional deficiencies in the world. Nowadays, these nutritional deficiencies are a major problem not only for the developing countries but also for the whole world. The aim of this study was to compare serum zinc levels in children with iron deficiency in preschool and school-aged periods and to evaluate their effects on erythrocyte index. METHODS: The children, whose serum zinc and iron levels were checked, were recruited from outpatient pediatric hematology clinic at Gülhane Training and Research Hospital in the period from January 2011 till August 2017. Participants were divided into 2 groups as preschool (2-5 years) and school-aged (6-12 years) periods and serum iron and zinc levels were evaluated. RESULTS: Serum zinc levels were significantly lower in the groups with iron deficiency anemia compared to the control groups (p<0.05).Correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant and positive correlation between serum zinc and hemoglobin levels (p <0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The data obtained from the study showed that serum zinc level is an independent risk factor for anemia. In children with iron deficiency anemia, zinc supplementation should be considered in the presence of anemia that does not improve despite the iron replacement.

Keywords: