Assessment of Zinc Status of School Going Children by Hair analysis Method (9-12 Years)

Zinc is an important micronutrient concerned with optimal growth, development and a healthy immune system. There is limited information on methods to estimate zinc deficiency using non-invasive methods so this study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of zinc deficiency among the school going children by hair analysis. A cross sectional study was carried out among the 100 school going children selected randomly. The samples were interviewed using questionnaires. Hair zinc analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry method in g was conducted on a subsample of 20 %, anthropometry (height in cms, weight in kgs) and 24-hour recalls were conducted. There existed a strong positive correlation between dietary zinc consumption and hair zinc levels. Zinc status of majority (55 %) of children was poor as assessed by hair analysis and it correlated well with dietary assessment of zinc status.