Study of serum zinc and copper level in children with malarial infection in Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad

Introduction: Malaria is a major protozoal disease in developing countries responsible for 2-3 million deaths per year. Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism. They are required for the catalytic function of several enzymes, play essential roles in immune function and act as antioxidants. So this study will give us a proper view whether there is a need for a more study on zinc supplementation in these patients. Material and Method: Fifty children with Malaria are included in the study as cases and equal number of age and sex matched healthy children formed the control group. Study is conducted during the period of August 2014 to October 2016. Result: In the present study mean Zinc level was significantly lower in cases as compared to controls (P value is 0.0426 which is less than 0.05) and mean Copper levels was significantly higher in cases as compared to controls (p<0.001). Conclusion: Children having malaria has low serum zinc levels as compare to healthy controls is due to excessive production of free radicals. They having malaria has high copper levels as compare to healthy controls is due to competitive absorption of zinc and copper. So the zinc supplementation is necessary for the immunity against plasmodial infection and to decrease the toxicity of copper in our body.