Serum Zinc Level and Its Relation with Growth and Development in Elementary School Children in Eğil, Province of Diyarbakır

Objectives: This study is planned to evaluate the relationship between serum zinc (Zn) levels and growth, development and anemia in children in Eğil, a town of Diyarbakır, Turkey. Methods: 176 elementary school children who received education in Eğil were included to the study in 2009; their serum zinc levels, weight and height were measured. Venous blood samples are drawn and centrifuged immediately. The relationship between serum zinc level and age, height and anemia were investigated. Results: Of 176 students included to the study, 56.3% (n=99) were boys and 43.7% (n=77) were girls. Their mean age was 10.9±2.5. When compared with their ages, the weight of 20.5% (n=36) and the height of 29.5% (n=52) of the children were under -2 standard deviation score. The mean serum zinc levels were found to be 107.8±41.0 μg/dL in boys, 99.8±36.1 μg/dL in girls and 104.3±39.0 μg/dL totally (p=0.176). Serum zinc levels were low in 36.4% (n=64) of the children. There was statistically significant relationship between serum zinc levels and height according to age (p<0.001) and also anemia (p=0.02). Conclusion: In Eğil, the houses children lived in were crowded and the families had many children. Noticeable malnutrition and failure to thrive was detected among the students while those were more prevalent in zinc deficient ones. It is important to educate the families about adequate and balanced nutrition and to support the students at school in terms of well-nutrition.