: Pneumonia is the leading cause of childhood mortality especially in developing countries affecting approximately 151 million cases each year. Malnutrition especially deficiency of micronutrients such as zinc, has shown to increase incidence and severity of pneumonia. A retrospective study was conducted to compare serum zinc levels in 30 well-nourished Egyptian children, aged 3 to 5 years, admitted to Benha University Hospital with the diagnosis of severe pneumonia, from July to December 2010, and 20 age- and sex-matched controls. Mean serum zinc level was 59.47±11.536 µg/dL in cases, and was 90±13.211 µg/dL in controls (P< 0.001). We recommends further studies to determine potentiality of zinc for therapy and or prophylaxis of sever pneumonia. |
